Royal Ascot 2015: Duke Of Cambridge Stakes preview (15.40)
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Integral looks the class act in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes, and a worthy favourite to land back-to-back successes in the 1m contest.
Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the mare looked in need of the run when going down by a head to Esoterique in the Group 3 Dahlia Stakes on her seasonal reappearance last year, and showed the benefit of that outing when running out the easy winner of this race.
The five-year-old was always travelling well on the heels of the leaders, and after making smooth headway two from home showed a good turn of foot to shoot clear approaching the final furlong and beat L’amour De Ma Vie with far more in hand than the winning margin of two lengths suggests.
Integral was when stepped up into Group 1 company, landing the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket before going on to beat Miss France by a length in the Sun Chariot Stakes at the same venue.
That is top class form in the context of this contest, and Integral comes into it on the back of a highly promising comeback run when fourth to Night Of Thunder in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury when beaten just 1 1/4 lengths.
The daughter of Dalakhani looks as good as ever judged on that run, and this is far easier and represents a golden opportunity for Integral to get back to winning ways.
Rizeena is bidding for her third win at the fixture and looks sure to go well for evergreen trainer Clive Brittain.
The daughter of Iffraaj won the Queen Mary Stakes in 2013, and showed a tremendous attitude when beating Lesstalk In Paris by 3/4 of a length in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes 12 months ago.
Although well beaten on seasonal reappearance at Newmarket, it would be no surprise to see the four-year-old put in a much improved performance now returned to a venue where she is unbeaten in three starts.
Euroline Charlie finished third behind Rizeena in last year’s Coronation Stakes before going on to land a listed contest over course and distance and putting in a career-best performance to win the Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes at Arlington.
The Marco Botti-trained mare also ran well on seasonal reappearance when fourth to Solow in the Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan, and if building on that looks a big player in receipt of 5lb from Integral.
Coral betting tip: We suggest you side with Stoute and Integal in this one!
