Racing Post

Drop back in trip to work wonders for speedy Sacred

3.40, 6f Group 1

Last year’s Queen Mary winner

Campanelle is favourite to record another Royal Ascot success in the Commonwealth Cup. Wesley Ward’s f lying filly has done little wrong since, winning the Prix Morny at Deauville before finding the mile trip too far when fourth at the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland.

Campanelle deserves her spot at the head of the market, but watching last year’s race again, it’s hard to see why there is a big disparity in price between herself and runner-up

Sacred, who has done little wrong since.

The Cheveley Park filly would surely be shorter in the betting had she won more races following her second at last year’s royal meeting, and she could easily have done so. She was nosed out in a pair of Group 2s at York and Doncaster following Ascot, and clearly wasn’t herself when f lopping in the Cheveley Park in the autumn.

However, she looked a class filly when winning in the Nell Gwyn over 7f at Newmarket back in April, and ran another good race when not staying the mile in the 1,000 Guineas last month.

Sacred’s largely been a model of consistency for trainer William Haggas and, being a daughter of Exceed And Excel, clearly enjoys Ascot’s straight track. This is, as usual, a redhot contest, but her form is right up there and the current 20-1 is too big.

Another filly to look out for is the unbeaten Suesa from France. She is four from four, although all her runs have been at Chantilly and on soft ground. This could be very different.

The progressive Dragon Symbol leads the charge for the colts here. He narrowly lost his unbeaten record when beaten a nose by Rohaan in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock last time. That race has been the best trial for this event, and the speedy Dragon Symbol has to be on the shortlist for upcoming trainer Archie Watson.

The Clive Cox pair of Supremacy and Diligent Harry are also worth a mention. The former won last season’s Middle Park, but he was last of eight on his comeback run at Ascot last month and must bounce back.

Jumby is making great strides and is up 9lb in the weights for his success in a Newmarket handicap last time.

The form of that race has worked out, and he would not be the first sprinter to make a successful leap from handicap company to a Group 1.

1. SACRED

2. Campanelle

3. Dragon Symbol

THURSDAY FRIDAY

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2021-06-16T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-16T07:00:00.0000000Z

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