Key contenders and trainer views as hot sprinters bid for star status

Commonwealth Cup | 6f | 3yo | Group 1 | ITV/RUK

Equilateral work has Hills dreaming big

In 2015 Charlie Hills won the inaugural Commonwealth Cup with a new sprinting superstar. Three years on and his bullish comments could easily convince you the trainer believes he will win the race's latest staging with another new sprinting superstar.

Muhaarar was devastating when thrashing Limato on this day and one senses something similar is anticipated by those close to the Khalid Abdullah-owned Equilateral, who pulverised subsequent dual winner Foxtrot Lady by eight lengths in a Doncaster novice event last month.

Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe says the colt is "held in very high esteem at home". The words of Hills make that clear.

James McDonald is excited to ride EquilateralCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Equilateral is one of the most exciting horses we've had here for a long time," said Hills.

"He won really well at Doncaster. That form is working out and his preparation has gone well since. He put in a terrific gallop when ridden by my brother Michael earlier this month. Michael told me he hadn't gone up there as well since riding my father Barry's Dewhurst winner Distant Music.

"I suppose the only thing that worries me is Equilateral's lack of experience but he has a great temperament and is in good shape, so he should be thereabouts."

The trainer is also delighted to have James McDonald riding the son of Equiano – a King's Stand Stakes winner for the Hills family in 2010 – adding: "He's young and hungry and horses run for him."

McDonald is also delighted to be riding him, and after a recent getting-to-know-you session with the horse he remarked that it felt like riding an Australian sprinter.

Pros: The Doncaster success was stunning, the form is strong and the trainer's comments are hard to resist
Cons: Has yet to contest anything better than a novice race, so this is a steep rise in class

Sioux returns to favourite haunt

Sioux Nation leads a three-strong challenge from Ballydoyle for a Group 1 Aidan O'Brien landed with Caravaggio last year.

Like Caravaggio, who won the Coventry Stakes in 2016, Sioux Nation is returning to the meeting seeking a second Royal Ascot success having landed the Norfolk Stakes 12 months ago.

The Phoenix Stakes winner landed his prep race for Friday's event when collecting the Group 3 Lacken Stakes at Naas last month.

O' Brien said: "Sioux Nation has lots of speed and when Ryan [Moore] rode him at Naas we discussed whether we'd run him in the King's Stand or this race. We decided to let him race against his own age group and maybe think about the Nunthorpe later on.

"We think he has come forward since Naas and we're very happy with him."

O'Brien is also represented by Fleet Review, who finished second to Sioux Nation at Naas, and the filly Actress, a Group 3 winner over the distance at the Curragh on her most recent start.

"Fleet Review ran a good race at Naas and we felt he deserved to take his chance, while the same applies to Actress who has plenty of speed," said O'Brien.

Sioux Nation pros: A Group 1 winner over the distance and bound to have benefited from his Group 3 win last month
Sioux Nation cons: For all his experience and solid form he might need career best to cope with the exciting Equilateral

Fahey feels Mali has progressed again

Only a nose separated Sands Of Mali and Invincible Army when the pair finished first and second in Haydock's Sandy Lane Stakes but Richard Fahey feels there are good reasons to think his Yorkshire raider can maintain that superiority.

Paul Hanagan's mount never saw another rival when making all to score at Haydock, just as he led from start to finish for a two-and-three-quarter-length victory in last summer's Gimcrack Stakes, in which Invincible Army was again the silver medalist.

That performance was followed by far less positive displays in the Middle Park Stakes and at the Breeders' Cup, but with a Chantilly reappearance win preceding the Sandy Lane scrap there is clear evidence to suggest Sands Of Mali is on a roll once again.

"I'm very happy with him and everything has gone according to plan," said Fahey.

"At Haydock Paul always thought he was holding the second horse and our fella just got a little bit lonely, pricked his ears and went walkabouts. The day to get him ready for was always the Friday of Royal Ascot, so I do think there will be improvement in him."

Sands Of Mali has been drawn nearest the stands' rail in stall 22, prompting Fahey to add: "You would always prefer not to be out on a wing. I would prefer it if he had a few friends around him but if you're going to be drawn on a wing this is the sort of horse to have there. Hopefully it shouldn't matter to him.

"He's moving back into Group 1 company and he does have to step up on what he has done so far but I wouldn't swap him."

Pros: Possesses tremendous speed and could be hard to catch if rolling along from the front
Cons: Ascot is a stiff track and his natural exuberance could prove costly in the closing stages

Tate's faith in Invincible Army

Richard Fahey reckons Sands Of Mali will confirm Haydock form with Invincible Army. James Tate, trainer of Invincible Army, does not take quite the same view.

Consistency is one of many assets Saeed Manana's hope brings to the party, another being course form, for in April he took the Pavilion Stakes over the Commonwealth Cup course and distance, leading home five of the opponents he now meets again.

Invincible Army: started his season with a bang in the Pavilion StakesCredit: Getty Images

Tate said: "I fancy his chances against Sands Of Mali, although he is far from the only one to be worried about. Our horse wasn't beaten far and I can see him improving, while we know he'll be very happy on the ground.

"It's slightly disappointing there are so many runners in a Group 1 race but I don't think we've drawn badly. I have a lot of confidence in our horse and can't see him being far away."

Pros: A wonderfully consistent athlete who has already excelled over Ascot's 6f
Cons: Twice beaten by Sands Of Mali and may lack scope for progress of some others

What they say

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of Cardsharp
He wasn't thriving earlier this year so we moved him to another yard and started turning him out a lot, since when he has really turned a corner. He was back to form at Salisbury on Sunday, and although we were half tempted to stay in a lower grade we feel he's earned his chance here. He's a Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed, so it wouldn't be a shock if he was in the shake up.

Cardsharp (James Doyle) wins the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket last summerCredit: Mark Cranham

John Gosden, trainer of Emblazoned
The Commonwealth Cup is a great race we always like to support and it looks as competitive as ever this year. He's still relatively inexperienced but ran well when we stepped him up into Group 2 company at Haydock last time. He'll like the ground.

Angus Gold, racing manager to Hamdan Al Maktoum, owner of Enjazaat and Eqtidaar
Both ran nice races on bad ground at Ascot, after which Eqtidaar went to Newbury, where things didn't quite go according to plan. I know Michael Stoute still has plenty of time for the horse and I thought he worked very well last weekend. Whether he wants fast ground I'm not sure. Enjazaat definitely wants fast ground.

Todd Pletcher, trainer of Gidu
He's intelligent and straightforward and should handle the atmosphere. He should leave the gates well and be prominent early. You need to bring the right horse and this horse fits the profile.

Roger Varian, trainer of Laugh A Minute
I think he'll be a much better horse coming off a stronger gallop. He clearly needs to improve again but I've been very pleased with his training since Hamilton.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Speak In Colours and Now You're Talking
Both ran well behind Sioux Nation in a Group 3 at Naas, finishing third and fourth. They have place chances

Andrew Balding, trainer of Stone Of Destiny
He was too keen last time and the race wasn't run to suit. This will be much more his thing. His work is at a pretty high standard and I think he'll run a lot better than his odds suggest.

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, owner of Unfortunately
He's done well physically since Haydock, where I don't think he gave a true representation of his ability. The ground may be a little bit quick for him – that would be my reservation.

Clive Cox, trainer of Heartache
She's been in grand shape since Haydock. She still has to prove she is as effective over six furlongs as she is over five but with a run under her belt I'm hoping she can take a step forward.

Michael Bell, trainer of Main Desire
She's the only unbeaten horse in the race and I hope that remains the case at about 3.45pm. She had a nasty injury prior to last year's Queen Mary. As soon as that happened the plan was to get her back for Royal Ascot this year. She is pretty smart, she's in great form and looks a picture. As a sprinter she ticks every box.

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