The Commonwealth Cup is a Group 1 contest run over 6f. It takes place at 15:05 on Friday 20th June, which is the fourth day of Royal Ascot 2025. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

4⁽¹³⁾

21114

Berkshire Whisper

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Andrew Balding

9-2

111

Completed hat-trick and made it 3-4 overall when scoring on handicap debut at Newcastle (6f, AW) in April; again ran well when 4l fourth in Listed race at Newbury (6f, good to firm) last month on first turf start; unexposed but needs a sizeable step forward to threaten today.

22⁽¹⁾

132-32

Time For Sandals

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Harry Eustace

8-13

105

120

Third in the Super Sprint at Newbury (5f, good to firm) last July and also went close in the Group 2 Lowther at York (6f, good to firm) in August; placed in Group 3 races on both starts this term, most recently beaten a head at Chantilly (6f, soft), but she has to raise her game to win this.

1⁽⁵⁾

166-35

Ain't Nobody

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

9-2

103

120

Won the Windsor Castle here (5f, good to firm) last June and reappeared with good third in the Group 3 Trial over C&D (good to firm); fair fifth in Group 2 Sandy Lane at Haydock (6f, good) since; others have better form but he seems to like it here and could have an each-way shout.

3⁽²⁰⁾

2-1316

Arizona Blaze

J: David Egan

T: Adrian Murray

9-2

110

128

Very creditable third in the Norfolk here (5f, good to firm) last June; impressed in Group 3 at Chantilly (5.5f, good to soft) in April and an each-way case can be made on that form, but only sixth in the Group 2 Sandy Lane at Haydock (6f, good) last time which knocks him down the pecking order.

2⁽¹⁴⁾

14-454

Arabie

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

9-2

104

115

Won Group 3/Group 2 races at Chantilly last summer (6f, good to soft); fair efforts the last twice, fifth to Big Mojo over C&D (good to firm) then fourth to Rayevka at Chantilly (6f, good to soft), but needs something extra; visor worn for last two starts is now discarded.

12⁽¹¹⁾

125-12

Whistlejacket

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O'Brien

9-2

112

125

3-8 in 2yo campaign, highlight his Group 1 Prix Morny win at Deauville (6f, good to soft) in August; ran well on fast ground at this meeting; returned with Listed win at Navan (6f, soft) and, while he was no match for Babouche when second in Group 3 Lacken Stakes at Naas (6f, good) latest, Ryan Moore reported that the colt banged his head on the gates; could give good account.

16⁽¹⁷⁾

318-11

Lady With The Lamp

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

8-13

102

118

2-6 last season, including Dundalk Listed win (5f, AW), and she's won Listed races on both outings this season, at Cork (6f, good) and Chelmsford (6f, AW); hasn't had much to spare for those victories but her come-from-behind style hints that she may have more left in the tank and this stiff 6f could be right up her street; could outrun her forecast big odds.

13⁽⁴⁾

73-452

Arabian Dusk

J: Harry Davies

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

8-13

106

127

Sole win (from eight starts) came in the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket (6f, good) last July; better than ever when short-headed in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock (6f, good) last month and has an each-way chance if backing up that performance.

14⁽¹⁸⁾

114-41

Babouche

J: Colin Keane

T: G M Lyons

8-13

113

132

Made it 3-3 in Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh (6f, good to firm) last August then pulled hard when fourth in soft-ground Cheveley Park; back to winning ways in Group 3 Lacken Stakes at Naas (6f, good) last month, and impressed even though runner-up Whistlejacket was below par; one to consider.

7⁽²²⁾

117-22

Ides Of March

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O'Brien

9-2

107

121

Easily won Group 3 Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh (6f, good) last August and runner-up in Listed races on both starts this season (6f, soft/good to firm); represents Aidan O'Brien and further improvement can't be ruled out, but it's necessary today; Ryan Moore rides stablemate Whistlejacket.

10⁽⁸⁾

1811-5

Soldier's Heart

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

9-2

104

114

3-5 in 2yo campaign, which culminated in a comfortable, all-the-way Listed win at Ripon (6f, good) last August; then absent until 19 days ago, when 5l fifth to Rayevka in Listed race at Chantilly (6f, good to soft); could improve for that recent outing but others have more obvious claims.

NR⁽²¹⁾

1137-4

Leovanni

T: K R Burke

8-13

103

115

Won the Queen Mary here (5f, good to firm) 12 months ago and creditable third in the Group 2 Lowther at York (6f, good to firm) in August, before finishing last in the soft-ground Cheveley Park; reappeared with promising Listed fourth at Haydock (5f, good) three weeks ago, when not enjoying a clear passage, and today's return to 6f could be a positive; interesting outsider.

5⁽¹²⁾

424-14

Big Mojo

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Michael Appleby

9-2

108

129

Won the Group 3 Molecomb last July (5f, good to firm) and landed the Group 3 Trial over this C&D (good to firm) in April on return; beaten a length and a half in fourth in Group 2 Sandy Lane at Haydock (6f, good) last time, when he would have been slightly closer with a clear run; each-way claims.

9⁽¹⁹⁾

1211-3

Shadow Of Light

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

9-2

120

132

Won two Group 1s at Newmarket last autumn (6f/7f, soft), namely the Middle Park and the Dewhurst; reappeared with excellent third in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket (1m, good), where he was outstayed by the first two; unraced on fast ground; has the potential to be a top-class sprinter.

6⁽³⁾

16-142

Diablo Rojo

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Raphael E Freire

9-2

105

121

Fourth in Group 3 Greenham (7f, good) and improved again to keep on for close second in Group 3 Trial over C&D (good to firm); had the benefit of race fitness in the latter, unlike Big Mojo (first) and Ain't Nobody (third), but should finish to good effect in this big field; a visor goes on; each-way possible.

11⁽⁹⁾

1-12

Strong Warrior

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

9-2

111

Won at Ayr (5f, good) on sole 2yo start and made it 2-2 at Pontefract (6f, good) in April; well-backed second on handicap debut at Windsor (6f, good to firm) this month and could have plenty more to offer for connections who won this in 2022, but he has lots to find in today's company.

15⁽¹⁶⁾

01-43

Carla Ridge

J: Chris Hayes

T: Eddie & Patrick Harty

8-13

101

118

Won Navan maiden (6f, good) on the second of her two 2yo starts and she's run well in defeat in Group 3 races in Ireland on both outings this season (7f/6f, good to yielding/good); others possess stronger form, however.

18⁽¹⁰⁾

216-41

Rayevka

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: F-H Graffard

8-13

110

129

Down the field in the Cheveley Park last September and no match for Arizona Blaze at Chantilly on reappearance, but surge of improvement at Chantilly (6f, good to soft) 19 days ago when she easily won a Listed race; supplemented for this race and it remains to be seen where her limitations now lie.

21⁽⁶⁾

111-3

Sky Majesty

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

8-13

110

123

3-3 last season, including Group 3 Firth Of Clyde at Ayr (6f, good to firm) and Group 2 at Chantilly (6f, heavy); she's better than she showed on her reappearance at Chelmsford (6f, AW) in April and retains potential for her respected trainer, but others have more substance to their claims.

8⁽¹⁵⁾

16-12

Jonquil

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Andrew Balding

9-2

115

131

Trained by the now-retired Sir Michael Stoute as a 2yo; made it 2-3 when winning the Group 3 Greenham (7f, good) at Newbury on his stable debut, before a head defeat in the French 2,000 Guineas (1m, good); hasn't shaped the last twice as though he's crying out for a first crack at 6f, but this class act isn't short of pace and can play a leading role if taking to sprinting.

19⁽⁷⁾

316-13

Sayidah Dariyan

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Richard Hughes

8-13

101

117

Built upon 2yo promise with reappearance win in valuable conditions race at Chelmsford (6f, AW), and another good run when 2l third in Listed race at Newbury (6f, good to firm) latest; something to find here, though.

20⁽²⁾

3-2111

Shisospicy

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Jose Francisco D'Angelo

8-13

106

128

Listed winner from the front at Keeneland (5.5f, good) in April and again showed bundles of speed to follow up in fillies' Grade 3 at Churchill Downs (5.5f, firm) last month, powering clear in the straight; Qatar Racing has since acquired a part-interest and she was supplemented for this race at a cost of £46,000; this exciting US challenger could take plenty of catching.

RACING POST TIP

Shisospicy

Jonquil and Shadow Of Light have been placed in 1m Classics and may well have the necessary speed to transfer that very classy form to sprinting, particularly 2,000 Guineas third Shadow Of Light who is strongly respected. However, this could go to US challenger SHISOSPICY, who has bundles of pace and impressed when powering clear in a Grade 3 at Churchill Downs last month. Shadow Of Light is second choice, with last year's Queen Mary winner Leovanni next on the list following her encouraging comeback at Haydock. Naas Group 3 winner Babouche and French Listed winner Rayevka could also be involved, while outsider Lady With The Lamp should be suited by the big-field scenario.

Royal Ascot Free Bets

Verdict

Past Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2024	Inisherin [1]	3	9-2	9/4F	Kevin Ryan	Tom Eaves
2023	Shaquille [4]	3	9-2	9/1	Julie Camacho	Oisin Murphy
2022	Perfect Power [1]	3	9-2	7/2	Christophe Soumillon	Richard Fahey
2021	Dragon Symbol [18]	3	9-0	4/1	Archie Watson	Oisin Murphy
2020	Golden Horde [10]	3	9-0	5-1	Clive Cox	Adam Kirby
2019	Advertise [4]	3	9-3	8/1	Martyn Meade	Frankie Dettori
2018	Eqtidaar [3]	3	9-3	12/1	Sir Michael Stoute	Jim Crowley
2017	Caravaggio [5]	3	9-3	5/6F	A P O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2016	Quiet Reflection [8]	3	9-0	7/4F	K R Burke	Dougie Costello
2015	Muhaarar [8]	3	9-3	10/1	Charles Hills	Dane O’Neill

Key race stats 2024

Key trends

At least one top-two finish within last two starts, 10/10
Distance winner, 10/10
Adjusted RPR of at least 128, 9/10
Rated within 4lb of RPR top-rated, 9/10 (four top-rated)
Group-race winner, 8/10
Drawn in single figures, 8/10
Top-three finish at the track, 6/10

Other factors

Three winners contested the Coventry the previous season, finishing 125. One had won the Queen Mary, while another landed the Norfolk.

Three winners had run in the 2,000 Guineas and one in the French Guineas (all comfortably beaten).

What happened in the Commonwealth Cup last year?

INISHERIN produced a career-best effort to land this three-year-old Group 1 sprint. Kevin Ryan’s colt ran well for a long way when sixth in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and confirmed the impression he would be better over sprint distances when winning the Sandy Lane at Haydock on his next start. He was supplemented for this race after that success and it was a decision that paid off. Tom Eaves’s mount travelled nicely and picked up well to beat Lake Forest by two and a quarter lengths. Subsequent British Champions Sprint winner Kind Of Blue was back in fourth.

Commonwealth Cup

15:05 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Royal Ascot Free Bets

Verdict

Past Winners

Key race stats 2024

What happened in the Commonwealth Cup last year?

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