High-class Jubiloso out to put problems behind her in Duke of Cambridge Stakes

Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) | 1m | 4yo+ fillies and mares | ITV/SKY

The highly rated Jubiloso arrived at this meeting 12 months ago long on reputation but short on experience and produced a fine effort when third over the round mile to Watch Me in the Coronation Stakes.

That marked a sizeable step forward from an admittedly easy success in a Newbury novice event three weeks earlier and both Sir Michael Stoute and her owner-breeder Khalid Abdullah would have hoped that a first stakes success would not be long in coming after her Ascot run.

"It was a frustrating season in many ways," said Abdullah's racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe. "Jubiloso looked pretty exciting early on and ran a super race in the Coronation. Things really went against her in the Oak Tree Stakes and she had some niggling feet problems thereafter.

"Hopefully she's put those behind her and she's come back very well. She's worked encouragingly and I hope this is a good opportunity for her."

With another winter on her back and hopefully her physical issues behind her, Jubiloso will be among the leading hopes for Stoute and Juddmonte as the season proceeds.
Reporting by Scott Burton

Racing Post tipster Richard Birch's analysis

In terms of official ratings, the likely favourite Nazeef has a bit to find with several rivals.

Five of the 11-strong field boast a higher mark than the John Gosden-trained four-year-old, but her place in the market is no surprise based on the visual impression created when making a winning reappearance in Kempton's Listed Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes.

Firmly on top at the finish, she beat the 2018 winner of the 1,000 Guineas, Billesdon Brook, by three-quarters of a length.

That was Nazeef's fourth win from five career starts, and further improvement seems certain. She looks the one to beat.

Jubiloso, third in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at this meeting 12 months ago, is also high on the list of possible winners.

Although she failed to reproduce the level of that form in two subsequent starts last season, she kicks off her 2020 campaign with just five runs under her belt and is trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who excels with this type.

Her stablemate Queen Power, the mount of Silvestre de Sousa, delivered a career-best effort first time out this term when runner-up to Terebellum in Newmarket's Group 2 Dahlia Fillies' Stakes.

That was over 1m2f, and a strongly run mile could prove ideal.

Stoute is the most successful trainer in the race, which was first staged in 2004, with four victories, namely Favourable Terms (2004), Peeress (2005), Strawberrydaiquiri (2010) and Integral (2014).

One of the best backed ante-post appears to be Wasmya, who will be partnered by Royal Ascot's favourite son Frankie Dettori.

The four-year-old has landed three of her six starts, including a Listed race at Baden-Baden last September, but will need to improve on that bare form to strike a significant blow in this much stronger company.

What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Magic Lily
We were pleased with Magic Lily's first European run of the season in the Dahlia Stakes, when she ran a good race under a penalty. She has come out of that well and we feel that the drop back to a mile is within her compass, as she won the Cape Verdi over the same distance. She has a penalty again but a repeat of any of her performances so far this year is going to make her very competitive.

David O'Meara, trainer of Agincourt
I was pleased with her run at Kempton. She was drawn wide and was giving weight to the winner. She'll run better than her price suggests.

Roger Varian, trainer of Invitational
She's in great form and training really nicely. I think she has a stamina question to answer over a stiff mile but there's just not a lot around for her at the moment over seven furlongs, which might be her ideal trip. But she's in good form.

Lavender's Blue: Royal Ascot contender has plenty of natural speed says Amanda PerrettCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Amanda Perrett, trainer of Lavender's Blue
She's done very well over the winter and has been ready to run for a little bit. She runs well when she's fresh and we've been very happy with her preparation. Jim [Crowley] has always said she has loads of natural speed and I think she proved that when she won at Sandown. Ideally she wants the ground on top and I think it was a little bit dead at Newmarket, although she ran a great race. I'm hoping now she is a bit stronger we'll be able to win a Group 1 at some stage this year.

John Gosden, trainer of Nazeef
She's a very genuine filly who won well on her return in the Snowdrop Stakes at Kempton, when she did well from a wide draw. She's breezed nicely since and this looks the right race for her. She's a progressive type.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Posted
She's a lovely filly who is extremely consistent and probably shouldn't be the price she is because I thought she ran a screamer at Kempton last time [behind Nazeef and Billesdon Brook] when losing out in a bunch finish. But it was still a mighty effort and on that run there's not that much between her and the favourite.

Francis Graffard, trainer of Wasmya
She ran very well for her comeback and the filly is in great form. The straight mile will suit her. It's not an easy task but she is in top form and that's why I decided to send her over.

Read more:

Under the radar: a dark horse for each day of Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot 2020: the must-have guide to a five-day horseracing extravaganza

Graham Dench's superb race-by-race guide to the opening day of the royal meeting

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