'The bookmakers have it right' - exciting Bellosa tests Royal Ascot claims

2.40 Newmarket
Betway King Charles II Stakes (Listed) | 7f | 3yo | RTV/ITV

When a three-year-old wins by seven lengths on her debut at Newmarket connections can start to dream big.

In Bellosa's case, her winning margin was backed up by a lofty Racing Post Rating (96) and a time that favoured comparatively well to the Wood Ditton later on the same card. She also reportedly outworked the 104-rated Ambassadorial prior to her first race.

Such was the dominance of her breathless Rowley Mile victory that Bellosa was immediately given quotes of 16-1 for the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. For that to become a realistic target, she will need to maintain her unbeaten record here.

This Listed race obviously represents a stiffer test and she will need to handle the undulations better to come out on top once again. But she doesn't have much to find on figures and given her high cruising speed and push-button acceleration, the bookmakers seem to have her in the right spot at the top of the market.

Bellosa receives a 5lb sex allowance from her three main rivals, headed by Group 3 Sirenia Stakes runner-up Cloudbridge. Pushing the repeat button of that effort would leave him just a few pounds short of what it usually takes to win this race, although his tendency to run free and hang left has to be a concern.

Furthermore, his pedigree is almost exclusively dirt-based and there is a strong possibility that he may prefer artificial surfaces. Hopes are hinged on the removal of the hood and a recent gelding operation.

Blinkers are fitted to Devilwala, who finished fourth in the Dewhurst last year and filled the same berth on his reappearance in the Craven. However, he was barely sighted in the 2,000 Guineas and this is already his third run of the campaign.

Fundamental was far from disgraced in the Greenham last time but has shaped as if he needs a mile. A fast pace will bring him into the picture, while Thank You Next and Bellissime need to take a marked step forward on official ratings.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

Cloudbridge could shine at three

Cloudbridge has always been blessed with significantly above-average ability, and looks just the type to enjoy a rewarding three-year-old campaign if he has grown up over the winter.

The son of Hard Spun made an impressive winning debut for Godolphin at Leicester last August when powering three and a quarter lengths clear of Soft Whisper under Ryan Moore.

Cloudbridge (near side): second in Sirenia Stakes on last startCredit: Edward Whitaker

Punters were clearly taken with that visual interpretation as Cloudbridge was subsequently sent off even-money favourite for the Group 3 Acomb Stakes over seven furlongs at York.

They soon knew their fate as the market leader pulled far too hard in the early stages prior to weakening in the final two furlongs to finish last of eight.

Equipped with a first-time hood in Kempton's Group 3 Sirenia Stakes on his only other start at two, Cloudbridge once again showed he’s by no means straightforward, proving reluctant to load into the stalls and then hanging both left and right under pressure.

The fact that he went down by just a nose to Mighty Gurkha proved confirmation that his Leicester performance was no flash in the pan and, if he has matured as a three-year-old, one feels he's got the engine to make Coronation Stakes entry Bellosa, who was so impressive on her Newmarket debut, work much harder than she did on that occasion.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: "Cloudbridge has been gelded since his last run, and has done well for it.

"The step back up to seven furlongs will suit him. He did look quite smart at Leicester, and you can put a line through York – he didn't cope with the whole day there. Some horses, particularly inexperienced two-year-olds, don't cope with York.

"He could have gone to Dubai over the winter, but we left him here and he's done well."

What they say

John Gosden, joint-trainer of Fundamental
He should handle the ground as Newmarket soft is not like Newbury, and he should step up on his comeback in the Greenham.

Adam Ryan, assistant to Kevin Ryan, trainer of Bellissime
We started her off in the Lowther last year, and it was good to get her off the mark at Chelmsford last time. She's a filly we've always liked a lot, and she's definitely come on for that last run. It's a big step up in class from Chelmsford, but we didn't run her in the Lowther last summer just to make the numbers up. Hopefully she'll do us proud.
Reporting by Richard Birch

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