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The stamina has already kicked in for this week’s equine stars, with a stirring and vintage edition of the Gold Cup the highlight of what was very much the Frankie Dettori show on Thursday.
But day four of five at Royal Ascot is when the same attribute becomes key too for the human contingent.
There will be no prizes for those beginning to falter out of contention at this stage, in the paddock or betting ring.
On the track, the Classic Queen of Newmarket and the Curragh is back for another Coronation.
The Group 1 race that goes by that very name is next for Aidan O’Brien’s dual Guineas heroine Hermosa, and she will be a hot favourite to complete a glorious hat-trick.
Hermosa – beautiful in Spanish – has proved just that for Ballydoyle so far this summer. This time, though, Jubiloso will be out to uphold another Iberian adjective – jubilant, unsurprisingly, is her translation – as the chief rival among strong opposition which also contains the big hope from France, unbeaten French Guineas winner Castle Lady.
For good measure, from Newmarket, Pretty Pollyanna tries again after getting closest to Hermosa on her seasonal debut at the Curragh.
Many will be more than marginally, if briefly, distracted from the Coronation Stakes when the Commonwealth Cup serves up its speedy preface.
This youngest of Group 1's here has a growing reputation as showcase for the fastest three-year-olds, and O’Brien’s Ten Sovereigns will carry plenty of currency as he seeks to prove himself a sprinter to follow at the highest level after faltering over further in last month’s 2000 Guineas.
Kevin Ryan’s Haydock winner Hello Youmzain and Jash, narrowly beaten by Ten Sovereigns in the Middle Park Stakes, may stand in the favourite’s way.
Third coronation for the beauty queen?
Hermosa has turned heads with her Classic wins either side of the Irish Sea so far this summer. But there is no shortage of high-class opposition in the Coronation Stakes as she bids for a famous Group 1 hat-trick.
Stoute defence
Sir Michael Stoute’s Jubiloso is among those out to repel the big-race favourite. The unbeaten filly is up in trip again, but the manner of her uncomplicated and impressive win at Newbury last time is a strong indication that stamina will not be an issue.
Sovereigns out to shine
O’Brien’s Commonwealth Cup heavyweight Ten Sovereigns had an unblemished juvenile CV over six furlongs – completing his hat-trick in the Group 1 Middle Park at Newmarket. A return trip for the Guineas proved a step too far, but he is back at his specialist distance here.
Make note of Private Secretary
John Gosden’s Private Secretary was, fleetingly, an Epsom Derby hope. That assignment was shelved, as the Kingman colt instead completed a hat-trick of spring victories elsewhere. But the King Edward VII Stakes provides him with the opportunity to prove he does belong among the leading lights of the 2019 Classic generation.
How many more for Frankie?
Frankie Dettori stole the show on Thursday when riding the first four winners on the card and sending the bookies running for cover. He has five rides on Friday and the best of them looks to be Private Secretary. However, the likes of Advertise in the Commonwealth Cup and Last Surprise in the Albany Stakes would not be shocks, either.
Watch day three highlights:
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