Royal Ascot 2016: Cuff to capture Albany Stakes among Friday tips
Published:
David Metcalf | June 16, 2016
Cuff to collect in Albany Stakes
Cuff has a progressive profile and can provide leading Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien with a first success in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot (14.30).
The filly shaped with promise when a not knocked about fourth on debut over 5f at Navan, and has since won both her starts since being stepped up to 6f.
In the last of those at Naas, Cuff took her form to a new level when running out the easy three length winner of a Listed contest.
After tracking the leaders in the hands of a confident Ryan Moore, the two year-old was switched to the inside to take up the running a furlong and a half from home, before powering clear to beat Yulong Baobei with any amount in hand.
Rock solid form
The runner-up is a well-regarded sort who ran a blinder at this meeting earlier in the week when seventh of 22 at Ardad in the Windsor Castle Stakes, and the fourth home Magical Fire has come out and won since. That gives the form a rock solid look and sets a clear standard in this line-up.
Cuff is also effective on the going, and with Moore once again in the saddle and the prospect of even better to come, is going to be very hard to beat.
Ormito the Queen’s Vase choice
In the Queen’s Vase (17.35), Ormito is a fascinating contender now stepped up in trip and looks decent value to land the spoils.
The Andrew Balding trained colt shaped well on return to action when third to subesquent Investec Derby runner-up US Army Ranger in the Group 3 Chester Vase over 1m 4f, getting outpaced two from home before rallying to be nearest at the finish and beaten seven lengths.
Ormito backed that up with a solid one length into third behind Algometer in a 1m 3f Listed contest at Goodwood, again staying on strongly and doing all his best work in the closing stages.
Algometer has gone on to finish a highly creditable seventh to Harzand in the Investec Derby, and the form of both races reads well in the context of this Listed 2m contest.
Judged on those performances, Ormito looks a stayer in the making, and he is the type who should have even more to offer now stepped up significantly in trip.
Friday tips
14.30: Cuff (NAP)
15.05: Across The Stars (E/W)
15.40: Quiet Reflection
16.20: Qemah
17.00: Ivan Grozny
17.35: Ormito (NB)
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