Rest of Royal Ascot: day four

Once again, some huge fields and very competitive racing at Royal Ascot this afternoon. Thje card starts with the Albany Stakes (Group Two, 2yo fillies, 6 furlongs) at 15.30 with 22 runners, 14 of which are last-time-out winners and 7 still unbeaten. 5 Irish-trained runners, and one U.S. filly make it even tougher to assess. The commentator will probably be hoping that Radharcnafarraige (Jim Bolger/ Kevn Manning) does not get involved, but she is the form pick, having won a Group Three at Naas last time. Her two most dangerous opponents in our view are Hooray (Sir Mark Prescott/ Seb Sanders) and Memory (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), both easy winners of their only start.

The King Edward VII Stakes (Group Two, 3yo´s , 1 1/2 miles) at 16.05 has the smallest field of the meeting so far, with only 8 runners. At First Sight (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh) was the surprise of the Derby two weeks go; theoretically pacemaker for two more fancied stable companions, he finished well in front of them both, and after making the running, was only beaten by hotpot Workforce. He must now show that this form was no fluke, but if he repeats it, should certainly score here, Green Moon (Harry Dunlop/ Jamie Spencer) has won all his 3 starts this year, all over 10 furlongs, but only just holds Monterosso (Mark Johnston/ Frankie Dettori), but the Derby form looks much stronger.

The Queen´s Vase (Group Three, 3yo´s, 2 miles) at 18.00 sets another problem, as not a single one of the 12 runners has ever tried this distance, so their stamina must be taken on trust. Mark Johnston has an excellent record here and has won it already 5 times this century, so his Corsica (Dettori) must be taken seriously, but Mikhail Glinka (O´Brien/ Murtagh) looks the class horse in the field.

The two handicaps today look as tricky as ever. The Wolferton Handicap over 10 furlongs at 17.25 has a clear favourite in Michael Jarvis´ lightly-raced Rainbow Peak (Neil Callan). He won all his 3 starts last year and started 2010 with a good second place. However he is handicapped up to the hilt and may not relish the fast ground; he could certainly win, but does not appeal as a good bet at the likely odds.

The Buckingham Palace Stakes over 7 furlongs at 18.35 closes todays card. A mammoth field, with 26 runners, this race is for 3yo´s and up but Treadwell (Jamie Osborne/ Fergus Sweeney) is in fact the only 3yo in the field. He has decent form, but it is really difficult for a 3yo to beat older horses at this level at this time of year. Our shortlist here comprises Penny´s Gift (Hannon/ Hughes), winner of the German 1,000 Guineas last year and now dropped in the weights, Bangalore Gold (David Marnane/ Dettori), winner of a similar race at the Curragh last time, and Prime Exhibit (Richard Fahy/ Paul Hanagan), but it is wide open.