Wesley Ward finding it tough to choose between his fancied pair in the Albany

Albany Stakes | 6f | 2yo Group 3 | ITV/Sky

This Group 3 for fillies, established in 2002, is invariably won by a sharp, precocious type, and many eyes will immediately be drawn to the Wesley Ward-trained Nayibeth.

She showed blistering speed to win over a distance short of 5f at Keeneland in April, beating Owlette by four and a quarter lengths.

Ward’s Royal Ascot record with this type of juvenile over the past ten years – he trained his first winner at the meeting in 2009 – has quickly become the stuff of legend, and the US-based handler’s runners always have a big following over the five days.

The trainer is also represented by Chili Petin, another who occupies a lofty position in the market, and the mount of John Velazquez.

Chili Petin also made a victorious start to her career at Keeneland when blazing two and three-quarter lengths clear of Biddy Duke, and Ward finds it hard to split them.

“The course won’t be an issue for either of them,” he said. "Nayibeth is in great form – she’s very good.

“Chili Petin is bred for the turf and her work of late has also been eyeopening. Both should bring their A games to Ascot and it’s tough to split them.”

Daahyeh form boost delights Varian

This race doesn’t have a reputation for producing fillies who go on to win at Group 1 level, but a notable exception was Cursory Glance, the 2014 scorer.

She subsequently landed the Moyglare Stud Stakes for Roger Varian, and the Newmarket trainer appears to have another prime candidate for Albany glory in Daahyeh.

One of eight unbeaten fillies in the 25-runner line-up, Daahyeh created a fine impression over this 6f trip at Newmarket last month when proving a length and three-quarters too strong for Raffle Prize.

That form, of course, received a major boost on Wednesday when the Mark Johnston-trained Raffle Prize landed the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes under Frankie Dettori.

The fact that Daahyeh beat Raffle Prize so convincingly on her debut speaks volumes for her natural ability and potential, and it would be no surprise if she went on to emulate Cursory Glance.

Varian said: “She's in great form and we liked her before her debut win at Newmarket. It was nice to see Raffle Prize frank the form in the Queen Mary and she goes there with a good chance. We'd like to see the ground dry a bit for her.”

Stiffer track expected to suit Silent Wave

The Godolphin-owned Silent Wave is another of those eight juveniles who come into the Albany unbeaten.

Sent off 10-11 favourite for a five-runner Goodwood maiden last month, she had little difficulty justifying the support and was notably strong at the finish as she came home two and three-quarter lengths clear of Miss Villanelle.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “She has a stout pedigree on her dam's side, out of Secret Gesture, but she could do no more than win the way she did at Goodwood over a quicker six furlongs. She's come out of the race well and the stiffer six at Ascot will suit her.”

What they say

Ken Condon, trainer of Celtic Beauty
She's a nice filly and we think she's improved since her good run at Naas. If the ground dries out and gets close to proper Ascot ground her chance will certainly improve.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Fleeting Princess
She looked good when she won her first race at Yarmouth. I’ve been pleased with her since she arrived and she deserves to take her chance.

Adam Ryan, assistant to Kevin Ryan, trainer of Galadriel
She’s come out of her race at York well and I’m very happy with her. You don’t really know how they will handle soft ground until they try, but she should be okay on it.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of Jm Jackson
She's a filly we've always held in high regard and although she's a maiden she was beaten by Ventura Rebel first time and he's done plenty for the form. We knew five furlongs would be too sharp for her at Sandown but it was a good opportunity for black type. The extra furlong will be a massive help, she's drawn on the right side and I expect her to run a big race.

Simon Crisford, trainer of Last Surprise
She’s won on the all-weather round a bend at Lingfield, now she’s on a straight turf track. She won very nicely that day and has done well since. There is more to come from her.

Sheila Lavery, trainer of Lil Grey
She hasn't done a lot since she won at the Curragh. She travelled over well and has taken everything in her stride. She's not ground dependent but, if it was on the slow side, it might just slow the others down. We cantered her on the track on Thursday morning and she absolutely loved it. She moved great.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Precious Moments and So Wonderful
Precious Moments is a daughter of Gleneagles who we like. She ran a lovely race first time out in a Curragh maiden and we hope she'll come forward from that. So Wonderful was only just beaten first time out at Naas and things didn't go to plan back there in a Group 3 last time. She's been in good form since though.

Spotlight verdict

Wesley Ward saddles Chili Petin and Nayibeth who were comfortable 4.5f winners on dirt on their US debuts and are bred to be effective over longer trips on turf. However, for all the success Ward has had at this meeting he is yet to win a 6f 2yo race. The form of Daahyeh's debut win at Newmarket took a significant boost when runner-up Raffle Prize won the Queen Mary here on Wednesday and another positive pointer from that race is provided by the fourth Liberty Beach, to whom Moon Of Love was an unlucky third in the Hilary Needler at Beverley on debut. However, preference is for Galadriel who was a hugely eyecatching Listed fourth at York on her debut having been detached early on. Separate was an unlucky sixth in the same race and could relish this first crack at 6f, while Irish raiders Celtic Beauty and Lil Grey are respected and Last Surprise and Silent Wave won in good style on their first runs. Moon Of Love is feared most.

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