Royal Ascot Day 4 Preview

Team Godolphin are three-handed in the Coronation Stakes, the fourth day feature at Royal Ascot, but the 'royal blues' can expect to figure in a number of other races on the card as well.

There can be no questioning the class of filly attracted in this vintage running of the Coronation, and the Jim Bolger-trained Lucida, a daughter of Shamardal, has credentials that stand up alongside the best of them. She has won two of her six outings and with the promise of better to come for Godolphin.

Her second to Legatissimo in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, beaten three-quarters of a length, was outstanding. The form was then franked by the winner, who finished a narrow second in the Investec Oaks at Epsom, being just cut down by rank-outsider Qualify in the last few strides.

Lucida's chief rival is Found, the talented Galileo filly who impressed in winning the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp in October, but who has taken time to hit winning form this year. She finished second to Pleascach in the Irish 1000 Guineas.

The Aga Khan's filly Ervedya has registered five wins from seven starts, including a brilliant victory in the French 1000 Guineas last start, so she also comes into the reckoning, along with Irish Rookie, runner-up to her at Longchamp.

Other Godolphin runners in the Coronation include the John Gosden-trained Sperry, who has been a rapid improver of late and UAE Oaks winner Local Time, trained by Saeed bin Suroor.

Azhar starts the day for Godolphin in the six-furlong Albany Stakes. This well-regarded filly, who won her maiden at Kempton on the all-weather, was diverted to this race from the Queen Mary Stakes and she should be better suited by the extra furlong.

Mark Johnston's Fireglow is worthy of consideration, while attention will again be focused on the American visitors, Back At The Ranch and Laxfield Road, both trained by Wesley Ward, who continues to do well with his juveniles at this meeting.

Festive Fare is a strong chance for Godolphin in the King Edward VII Stakes. This three-year-old has not run since finishing a respectable fourth to Golden Horn in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket in April, and he will be ideally suited by the trip. Stravagante, the recent Epsom winner, is the danger.

The Commonwealth Cup is a new race, which has received solid backing from owners and trainers. It is clearly a popular addition to the Royal Ascot programme. Jungle Cat is the Godolphin representative here, but Adaay, who beat him at Newbury and then went on to win again at Haydock, is once again going to be his stumbling block.

The Richard Hannon-trained Tiggy Wiggy is very fast and will appreciate the drop back in distance after being placed in the 1000 Guineas. Hootenanny, another speedster from the States trained by Ward, is also a big chance in a hot contest.

Team Godolphin run two in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes - Gold Trail, who gets his right trip, and topweight Famous Kid, who is set to improve on his run at Chester in May following a winter in Dubai.

The finale, the two-mile Queen's Vase, could be just what Future Empire has been looking for. He has been gelded since finishing last in the Chester Vase. Prior to Chester, he ran on for second in the Epsom Derby Trial behind Christophermarlowe and has staying potential.

Godolphin also have Antiquarium, who has won three of his four starts. This has long been his target.