Group Three Commonwealth Trial Stakes Ascot Guide 2023

Karl Burke sends his 106-rated sprinter Cold Case to the Commonwealth Trial on the back of a good 2022 with the three-year-old. The colt finished inside the top three on all six of his runs last term, including wins at York, Doncaster and Redcar. The latter of those was the most impressive, winning a listed contest over 5f in October by over two lengths before his seasonal reappearance here and his second crack at grouped glory.

He was also third in Group Two Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at York in August last year and should be at home at this level. One to keep an eye on, with his 2022 form very strong.

Richard Fahey has one in this race with three-year-old Rousing Encore. The colt was fairly raced in 2022, running eight times which included a couple of wins earlier in the year at Beverley and Pontefract before getting his chance at a higher level. He managed a respectable sixth in the Group Two Coventry Stakes and second in a group two at Newbury in September but struggled on his first outing this year in the Listed Burradon Stakes to finish tenth of 11 at Newcastle.

Steps down to this trip from one mile at Newcastle but would be a shock winner here unless recapturing his best form, which could still see him come short.

Richard Hannon sends two to the Commonwealth Trial Stakes in the form of Trillium and Magical Sunset. The filly Magical Sunset arrives here having had an indifferent 2022, winning at Windsor, Leicester and Newbury but sixth and fourth at Doncaster and Curragh respectively.

Her win at Newbury came in a listed event and rounded off her season on a positive note before finishing fifth on reappearance this season at Newbury in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes over seven furlongs. She drops down slightly in trip here and while reluctant to dismiss any here, she would have to improve a lot to secure victory against some in form runners.

110-rated sprinter Marbaan makes his Ascot debut here in the Commonwealth Trial Stakes after an indifferent start to his racing career. The three-year-old began well, winning three of his first four races including Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last July, beating Holloway Boy by half a length.

However, his good start was undone by finishing last of six in a group one at Curragh in September before fifth of seven in Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket to finish off last season’s campaign. The colt can bounce back down in class here but others make more appeal on form. Would be a mistake to rule him out though, like many in this contest.

Charlie Appleby sends one for the Commonwealth Trial Stakes in the form of three-year-old Mischief Magic, who enjoyed a good debut season in 2022. The colt won at Goodwood and Newmarket at a much lesser level than this before claiming Group Three Sirenia Stakes at Kempton in September by two lengths to Believing.

The three-year-old finished the British season with a fourth-place finish in Group One Middle Park Stakes before scoring at Keeneland to round off 2022, winning the Breeders’ Cup over 5f. Back up to 6f here for the Commonwealth Trial and it would be difficult to see him struggling here, he can go well and should be right in the mix at the end. William Buick does the steering.

The X O makes his Ascot debut in the Commonwealth Trial Stakes here after two wins in his opening six races, claiming success at Southwell on two separate occasions but at a much lesser level than this (class four and five). Makes his first foray into grouped company here having not run at a higher level than class two and finished third on his last start behind winner and fellow runner here Desert Cop.

Makes his turf debut but this a very tough assignment for the three-year-old and probably one of the ones who won’t make a charge for victory.

The three-year-old Bradsell made a good start to his career in 2022, winning on debut at York before winning the Group Two Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, just over a length ahead of Persian Force, who has gone on to run well in a few group one races.

The colt then finished fourth in the Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes over 6f at Curragh in August but was found to have an injury after the race. Has to be considered here on reappearance with that Coventry Stakes win and would be one of the likelier winners. Hollie Doyle is on board.

Richard Hannon sends a couple to this Ascot contest in the shape of Magical Sunset and Trillium. The latter enjoyed a good start to her career last term, winning three times at Newbury, Goodwood and Doncaster including group two and three successes over five furlongs.

The three-year-old then finished a disappointing eighth of ten in the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket to finish her season but she is capable of doing better and can do so stepping down in company here. The filly should be in the mix and cannot be dismissed.

Andrew Balding boasts one in the Commonwealth Trial Stakes at Ascot on Wednesday with Desert Cop, who has enjoyed a good start to his career since finishing ninth on debut at Southwell in January. The three-year-old has since won a couple of races, at Kempton and Newcastle as well as finishing runner-up at the former in late January.

He makes his first step into grouped company here for Balding but has continued to improve since that debut run and he can continue to do better here. Some good runners in this race but he shouldn’t be taken lightly on his grouped debut. Oisin Murphy does the steering.