By Nick Robson
Aidan O’Brien’s confidence behind Opera Singer in the Coronation Stakes is infectious and she rates the best bet on day four of Royal Ascot
Last year’s champion juvenile filly, her spring was interrupted by a setback which ruled her out of the 1000 Guineas.
She did make it back in time to run in the Irish equivalent but the Ballydoyle handler made everyone aware she would be far from 100 per cent and it had been a rush to get her there.
The inference was that the Curragh Classic would put her spot on for this contest, so the fact she was able to run so well in third behind Fallen Angel paints her in a very favourable light.
With Fallen Angel missing the race due to a late setback, her main dangers are Newmarket winner Elmalka and the French challenger Ramatuelle, who could be better suited to going round a bend.
However, the memory of Opera Singer winning her last two races of 2023 by an aggregate of 11 and a half lengths lives in the memory.
With two of his major rivals late withdrawals, the way now appears pretty clear for Inisherin to win the Commonwealth Cup.
Bucanero Fuerte misses the race due to travel sickness, while ante-post favourite Vandeek has also been ruled out.
Inisherin was already challenging Vandeek at the head of the market having beaten last year’s Prix Morny and Middle Park winner at Haydock.
The Kevin Ryan-trained Inisherin did have the benefit of race fitness that day, having reappeared with a very creditable run in the 2000 Guineas when he took the field along for much of the contest before fading into sixth.
It was was a pretty sharp drop in trip to six furlongs for the Sandy Lane but he certainly does not lack for pace and had to be supplemented for this, with connections believing all winter they had a miler on their hands.
Now the trip conundrum is sorted, he can prove a real force to be reckoned with.
Fairy Godmother should take all the beating for O’Brien in the Albany Stakes, which looks one of the weaker juvenile races of the week.
Beaten by Sparkling Sea on debut when green, she turned the tables next time out in Group Three company.
Space Legend is one of the many big-money purchases for Wathnan Racing prior to the meeting and he looks a shrewd one in the King Edward VII Stakes.
He possibly should have won last time out at Goodwood but having just his third race, Tom Marquand was caught out of his ground as Meydaan kicked clear.
When he got a run he flew home, with the line coming two strides too soon as he was beaten a neck, but this son of Sea The Stars looks sure to improve.
Ralph Beckett’s Indelible is surely a Pattern winner in waiting based on her pedigree along but a handicap mark of 91 was too good to pass up in the Sandringham.
By Shamardal and out of Midday, it was surprising she was as big as 9-1 for her seasonal return, even with a 7lb penalty against the highly-regarded Amphius, who is also owned by Juddmonte.
She showed a really willing attitude that day and will be staying on stronger than most.
Sea King was a rare April winner for Sir Mark Prescott and it seems noteworthy he has kept his powder dry for the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes since.
Kevin Philippart de Foy’s Mukaafah looked a different proposition when winning on his handicap debut at Doncaster off a mark of 84.
He is up 8lb for the Palace of Holyrood House Stakes but could still be ahead of his mark.
Top tips for today’s UK meetings
TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.
MARKET RASEN: Race 1: 14.35 Barrons Land, Race 2: 15.05 G A Henty, Race 3: 15.40
Imperial Rule, Race 4: 16.15 Bellbird, Race 5: 16.55 Vintage Fizz, Race 6: 17.35 Zuul, Race 7:
18.10 Crossbeau.
REDCAR: Race 1: 14.45 We Still Believe, Race 2: 15.15 Kode Secret, Race 3: 15.50 La
Trinidad, Race 4: 16.30 Castle Cove, Race 5: 17.05 The Hun, Race 6: 17.45 Pendlebury Lane.
ROYAL ASCOT: Race 1: 15.30 Fairy Godmother, Race 2: 16.05 Inisherin, Race 3: 16.45 OPERA
SINGER (NAP), Race 4: 17.25 Sea King, Race 5: 18.05 Indelible, Race 6: 18.40 Space Legend,
Race 7: 19.15 Mukaafah.
GOODWOOD: Race 1: 18.45 Kalahari Blue, Race 2: 19.20 Nini Star, Race 3: 19.50 Lexington
Knight, Race 4: 20.25 Open Secret, Race 5: 21.00 Swindon, Race 6: 21.35 Enchanting.
NEWMARKET: Race 1: 19.03 Biniorella Bay, Race 2: 19.35 Global Asset, Race 3: 20.10
Mythical Guest, Race 4: 20.45 Rhetorical, Race 5: 21.20 Big Zou, Race 6: 21.55 Normandy
Vista.
DOUBLE: Inisherin and Opera Singer (Ascot, Races 2 and 3).
For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com