Duke Of Cambridge Stakes Guide

T - Aidan O'Brien

J - Ryan Moore

All fillies & mares in this field carry nine stone exactly, except for I Can Fly, who has been penalised three pounds for finishing second here in a Group One on Champions Day.

Just failing to get past Roaring Lion in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, she has since been a bit up and down; winning at Dundalk on season return on the all-weather and second in a Group Two at the Curragh in this category back on turf, but trips to Meydan and Churchill Downs never found their wings.

Sixth in Lockinge, needs to bounce back here; does have positive claims to do so.

T - Ed Walker

J - Gerald Mosse

Agrotera was a course and distance winner last term in the Sandringham Stakes Handicap for fillies, and has motored on at some degree since.

She went to Longchamp to finish a head-second to Poetic Charm in the Listed Prix de la Cochere, but struggled to get on terms at Newmarket in a race of a similar nature.

Turn over a new leaf on return on the all-weather at Kempton - beating three of today's rivals, but must raise her level again to prevail here.

T - Richard Hannon

J - Tom Marquand

Richard Hannon has a few decent players at Royal Ascot this season, with Threat on the opening day in the Coventry Stakes.

Anna Nerium is much more well known to us however, and he came through Group Three honours at Epsom recently, over turning the form with Awesometank who beat her at Goodwood.

Has shown some great speed sectionals this season particularly later on in her races, and could and should be involved in the finish here.

Definite player.

T - Hughie Morrison

J - David Probert

Bella Ragazza finished fourth to Anna Nerium at Epsom on her latest respective start - her second this season, whereby she finished fifth here in handicap company on her first appearance of the campaign.

On that evidence, this may be too much of an ask for her with several regular Group performers showing up.

Hard to make a case for.

T - Mick Channon

J - Ronan Whelan

Dan's Dream will be dreaming of going one better than two of her latest starts at the Curragh, but even those efforts might not be enough here.

Is in good form and has looked useful in previous showings - runners-up to Happen by a short-head and Soffia by a neck, both of which in Group Three company in Ireland.

Unlucky there, but does have doubts over the trip and the ground.

Others maybe more preferred.

T - Ralph Beckett

J - Harry Bentley

One start this season saw her flop at Chester on return, finishing last of ten in a handicap.

Did improve to win a Listed race over seven furlongs on soft ground here in October, and has a squeak on that evidence.

Another with work to do.

T - J A Stack

J - Chris Hayes

Three attempts this term, twice finishing good and close second's at Irish courses, but career best is required here.

Began career with two victories but winless in five since, and other fillies certainly are more attractive profile wise.

Stiff mile surely the only taking factor.

T - Ed Walker

J - Jamie Spencer

Decent performer for Ed Walker on his day, winning last time out back in Britain at Musselburgh in a Listed contest on easy going.

Despite below par return at the Curragh, she finished in the placings on a number of occasions at large odds towards the back end of last season in America, having won the Holstein Cup in Germany.

Could be one to consider in the each-way market again.

T - William Haggas

J - Daniel Tudhope

Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum has some excellent chances at this meeting this week, none more so than Move Swiftly.

Makes return after a hat-trick of seconds at Lingfield, Newmarket and York in the Autumn, having prevailed at Wolverhampton and Goodwood.

Rose through the ranks and could take things to the next level in this contest.

Trainer - Mark Johnston

Jockey - P J McDonald

This four year old filly has been hit and miss for a long time now but does have some Ascot form to her name winning a Group 3 at the Berkshire track as a two year old.

Since then she has not really threatened to go and win a decent contest like this and if the rain comes she can certainly be ruled out.

Trainer - James Fanshawe

Jockey - Kerrin McEvoy

The Cheveley Park colours come next with Preening and this filly made a nice seasonal debut behind Agrotera at Kempton and although needing to improve on that could seek an each way slot.

She will like the ground fairly quick so the less rain the better with her best performances coming on good or good to firm ground and she has been saved for this race since her seasonal return in April.

Trainer - William Haggas

Jockey - James Doyle

The William Haggas trained runner stands a big chance in this contest as she has never finished out the top two places on all seven of her runs winning five of those contests.

Her first run back this season was very encouraging landing a Group3 fillies contest against some smart horses and if the rain did fall it would not be a surprise to see her move in the market.

Trainer - Sir Michael Stoute

Jockey - Frankie Dettori

The current favourite and leading chance in the bookies eyes is Sir Michael Stoute's Rawdaa and you can see why having not been out the top three places on all seven of her starts, winning some nice contests in the process.

Her latest second in a Group 2 at York behind Lah Ti Dar is the best form on offer heading into the race and with the third that day going on to win next time out the form line is very strong and she is a big contender.

Trainer - Joseph O'Brien

Jockey - Donnacha O'Brien

Red Tea is one of the Irish raiders in this field and this six year old mare will have to step her game up from her previous runs with this being a hot contest.

She has not ran to a bad standard but this contest looks a class above what she is used to but can't be ruled out with the O'Brien brothers posing a nice strike rate together.

Trainer - Roger Varian

Jockey - Andrea Atzeni

The 50/1 outsider of the field comes from the Varian yard and it looks as if she has a big bit to find if she is going to get involved in the placings.

She does however, head into the contest off the back of a listed win over the same distance but a few in the field look a bit to good for her.

Trainer - Mark Johnston

Jockey - Silvestre De Sousa

Another of Mark Johnston's runners in the field and it is our each-way selection. She finished second behind Alpha Centauri at this meeting last year in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes and anything mirroring that effort will see her in the mix.

Trainer - Sir Michael Stoute

Jockey - Oisin Murphy

The final runner of this big fielded race see's another Cheveley Park runner this time for Ascot great Sir Michael Stoute and she is getting better with every run this season to suggest this is capable.

Will have to improve again but not to be ruled out in anyway and could be a shout at an each way price.