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Read all about it: key questions as Main Edition bids to make more headlines

Main Edition: Albany winner bids for another Group success
Main Edition: Albany winner bids for another Group successCredit: Bryn Lennon (Getty Images)

Duchess of Cambridge Stakes | Group 2 | 2yo fillies | 6f | ITV3/RUK

Can Johnston ace remain unbeaten?

This year's race centres on the unbeaten Main Edition, who followed up novice wins at Windsor and Goodwood with victory in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Following that Group 3 success trainer Mark Johnston said the Cheveley Park, run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, is Main Edition's long-term target, but before then she tackles the July course in her bid for a four-timer.

She faces several of her Royal Ascot rivals again and Johnston's son and assistant Charlie said: "Her form's there in the book for all to see and she's done absolutely nothing wrong in her three starts.

"She's got largely the same horses to beat from Ascot and I don't see any reason why she won't confirm the form. That's what we're hoping and expecting."

Can La Pelosa turn the tables?

Only a neck separated Main Edition and La Pelosa at Ascot, and Charlie Appleby's filly is back for round two. Her Albany effort was only her second start, so there is every chance that outing has bought her on.

Appleby said: "I've been pleased with the way she has come out of her run at Royal Ascot.

"She made all at Kempton on her debut but I think she learned a lot last time out, when she stayed on well in the closing stages, and the race should have brought her on mentally.

"A repeat performance of her last start should see her bang there."

Will Gossamer Wings complete a hat-trick?

The last two winners of the race have been housed in Ballydoyle, with Roly Poly and Clemmie obliging for Aidan O'Brien.

This time the trainer relies on Gossamer Wings, who brings a different strand of Royal Ascot form to the table, having finished runner-up in the Queen Mary last time out.

Although that run was over five furlongs, she has tackled six before, finishing third in a Curragh maiden, and she finished well in the Queen Mary.

O'Brien said: "She ran a very good race in the Queen Mary and she's stepping up a furlong. She's been in good form since Ascot."

Could another Albany runner step up?

As well as Main Edition and La Pelosa, the field also contains the Albany fourth (Angel's Hideaway), fifth (Pretty Pollyanna) and seventh (Chicas Amigas).

You have to go back to 1990 and Chicarica for John Gosden's last winner in the race and the trainer knows Angel's Hideaway will need to have improved to get closer than she did at Ascot.

"It looks a bit like a rerun of the Albany but we've been pleased with her since Ascot and she seems to have matured from it," he said. "She's progressive but we know where we are in regards the form."

Pretty Pollyanna was a neck behind Angel's Hideaway and performed admirably considering she had only made a winning debut at Yarmouth eight days earlier.

Trainer Michael Bell said: "She ran very well at Ascot and she deserves to be there."

Colm O'Donoghue has a big ride later on the card with hot Falmouth favourite Alpha Centauri, but will get his eye in at the track aboard Chicas Amigas.

"She ran a very good race at Ascot and she's come out of it well," the jockey said. "It looks a strong group of two-year-old fillies so it'll be quite competitive but she's ready to take her chance.


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David BaxterReporter

Published on 12 July 2018inPreviews

Last updated 17:19, 12 July 2018

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