Newmarket preview: Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (14.40)

Easton Angel posted a cracking effort when runner-up at Royal Ascot and can get back to winning ways in the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket (14.40).

The Michael Dods trained filly looked a very smart prospect when winning her first two starts, sauntering home by 3 1/4 lengths on debut at Musselburgh before landing the valuable Hilary Needler Trophy in good style at Beverley.

Easton Angel beat Opal Tiara by a length in the latter, but was value for more than the winning margin having idled once hitting the front.

The daughter of Dark Angel then lost little in defeat when pitched into Group 2 company and finishing a 1 1/2 length second of 20 to Acapulco in the 5f Queen Mary Stakes at last month’s Royal meeting.

Easton Angel raced keenly on the far side before making good headway to lead her group a furlong from home.

She then kept on strongly to chase the winner all the way to the line, and was unfortunate to come up against a filly who looks something out of the ordinary.

In the circumstances it was a tremendous run, and the front two pulled 2 1/2 lengths clear of the third home Besharah to give the form a strong look.

Given how Easton Angel finished off the race the step up to 6f in this should hold no fears, and her run in the Queen Mary represents the best form on offer.

Illuminate made it two out of two when landing the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and is the obvious danger.

The Richard Hannon trained filly was held-up in the early stages by a confident Richard Hughes before making smooth headway approaching the final furlong.

Illumintae then showed a smart turn of foot to quickly put the race to bed inside the last and beat Ashaidan by 1 1/2 lengths.

It was a very taking performance from the daughter of Zoffany, and she looks the type who is clearly going the right way and should have plenty more to offer.