Wild Illusion sets lofty standard after Oaks second

3.40 Ascot
Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) | 1m4f | 3yo fillies | ITV4/RUK

Five of the last ten winners of the Ribblesdale Stakes had run in a Guineas or Oaks, although none of those had finished closer than fifth in a Classic, something Wild Illusion managed comfortably when finishing second in the Oaks on June 1.

That is by far the best piece of form on offer in this field and, accordingly, Wild Illusion is rated far superior to her nine rivals and looks a strong favourite despite carrying a 3lb penalty for last season’s Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac victory.

“She looks fantastic and she’s training well,” said Charlie Appleby.

“Was it a difficult decision to back her up quickly after Epsom? No, not at all. She’s come out of the race well, and if she can repeat her Oaks performance she'll be very hard to beat.”

As well as her second to Forever Together, Wild Illusion finished fourth to Billesdon Brook in the 1,000 Guineas last month.

“If you go on her fourth at Newmarket, the quick ground won’t be a worry," said Appleby. "I asked James Doyle, who rode her that day, and he said she didn't feel the ground at all.”

O'Brien out to work his magic again

Winners have been split equally between British and Irish stables over the past decade and, in particular, Aidan O’Brien has begun to exert his influence with two of the last four winners.

He fields a team of four, headed by Oaks fourth Magic Wand, the mount of Ryan Moore and the winner of the Cheshire Oaks last month.

"Magic Wand has shown the best form of the four," said O'Brien. "We've been happy with her since Epsom and we think the track and quicker conditions this time will suit."

Magic Wand: fourth in the Epsom Oaks last timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Fairyhouse maiden winner Athena, the lightly-raced Sarrocchi and Sizzling, third in a Group 3 at Cork last Sunday, complete O’Brien’s quartet.

"Athena came good last time and we think she's progressing," the trainer added.

"Neither Sarrocchi nor Sizzling have won this season but both ran well last time – Sizzling was third in the Munster Oaks over this trip, while Sarrocchi, who will be running over the distance for the first time, was staying on nicely over a mile and a quarter at the Curragh."

Maiden bids to shine for Stoute

Frankel fever has been in the air at Royal Ascot since Without Parole won the St James’s Palace Stakes, and his daughter Sun Maiden brings plenty of intrigue to this contest.

A 12-length winner of a Salisbury novice on her second start, she was mooted as an Oaks contender before being taken out at the final declaration stage.

“She was still very green when she won at Salisbury but she’s matured since,” said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah.

“It’s a big step up but she’s pleased in everything she’s done. It was very tempting to run in the Oaks but, in the long term, we felt giving her more time would suit her better.

"She’s a nice-moving filly and gives every impression the mile and a half will suit her.”

Asked how special it was for the owner to have a homebred daughter of Frankel with the potential of Sun Maiden, Grimthorpe said: “He’s very excited about the success of Frankel and with a son of Kingman having won the Coventry Stakes on Tuesday it was a big day for the entire Juddmonte operation.”

Conditions perfect for Clarity

Things did not go according to plan for Perfect Clarity in the Oaks but she had previously been an impressive winner of the Lingfield Oaks Trial and is held in high regard by trainer Clive Cox, who has been slowly warming to the idea of running here after her disappointing seventh at Epsom.

"The ground is going to be far more to Perfect Clarity's preference,” said the trainer. “We hoped she'd cope with the ground at Epsom but clearly she didn't.

"We think a lot of her still and hopefully she can show a similar level of form to when winning at Lingfield."

Perfect Clarity: relaxing at EpsomCredit: Edward Whitaker

Flying Frankie

Frankie Dettori is after a seventh Ribblesdale success having won the contest before on Phantom Gold (1995), Bahr (1998), Fairy Queen (1999), Punctilious (2004), Flying Cloud (2009) and Hibaayeb (2010). He rides Highgarden for John Gosden this year.

What they say

Ed Vaughan, trainer of Dancing Brave Bear
She’s still on an upward curve. Andrea Atzeni felt she’d get the mile and a half after York. She’ll love the ground and is getting stronger all the time. This has always been the plan since the Musidora and, apart from Wild Illusion, on form I think she has as good a chance as the rest.

John Gosden, trainer of Highgarden
She's in great form and has been crying out for a stiff mile and a half, such as this. It's a deep race but she goes on any ground and hopefully can be in the mix.

David Simcock, trainer of Lady Of Shalott
She was disappointing at Lingfield. We think she's capable of better than that and we expect a better showing here. The trip is no problem.

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