ROYAL ASCOT - DAY 4 (FRIDAY)

It's the penultimate day of the Royal meeting and once again the team previews every race from Royal Ascot as we give the run down for all of Friday's action. 14:30 - ALBANY STAKES

Signora represents the mighty Coolmore connections and was third to the classy looking Lady Iman on her debut. Fizella wasn’t far denied here on her debut and trounced Tahalel at Haydock. She’s also a leading contender. Gold Digger was bought for a pretty penny and beat Awaken at Yarmouth. She will have come on for that and the form of that race has worked out very well, with the time being a competitive one at that. She could cause a minor upset. Additionally, a minor word for Fairy Oak. She was second in a good race at Navan, on her debut and Colin Keane takes the ride today. She could outrun her odds.

GOLD DIGGER (WIN)

FAIRY OAK (E/W)

(Kieran McHugh)

15:05 - COMMONWEALTH CUP

Shadow Of Light is the clear and obvious favourite and looks the most likely victor; however, from a punting perspective, it's tricky to side with such a short-priced runner in such a large field.

The Juddmonte duo of Babouche and Jonquil look the best of the rest and it'd be foolish to ignore the Ballydoyle pair of Whistlejacket and Ides Of March.

All that being said a chance is taken on the US raider Shisospicy. She could blaze a trail and be hard to peg back. She'll relish the firmer ground and looks the best opportunity for a US winner of the meeting.

SHISOSPICY (E/W)

(Rory Paddock)

15:40 - DUKE OF EDINBURGH

There's a quartet with obvious chances in the form of War Rooms, Almosh'her, Hand Of God, and Ethical Diamond. I couldn't put punters off backing any of the aforementioned four however it might be worth hunting for runners at bigger odds who could outrun their price.

There's two Irish runners who both drop back down into handicap company after competing at a higher level last time out.

Johnny Murtagh's Siege Of Troy and the Jessica Harrington trained Satin should be competitive and are likely to do better than the bookies might have you believe.

SIEGE OF TROY (E/W)

SATIN (E/W)

(Rory Paddock)

16:20 - CORONATION STAKES

When the declarations were made for this race it played towards the market favourite and french raider Zaragina. The highly rated Siyouni filly will make a bold show for an international success. Falakeyah ran a storming straight mile at Newmarket to win the Pretty Polly Stakes under Jim Crowley. She missed the Oaks and is supplemented for this and will no doubt give a big show. I liked the way she powered on from the dip on the Rowley mile. January is entered for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore and has followed home some impressive winners of late. She was behind stablemate Lake Victoria in the Irish 1000 Guineas and twice second to Desert Flower as well. The market indicates that another bold effort awaits. I will side with Falakeyah after her showing at Newmarket and will be primed here with January able to get amongst the places.

FALAKEYAH (WIN)

JANUARY (E/W)

(John Arnold)

17:00 - SANDRINGHAM

Sweet Chariot is likely to be well supported for Ryan Moore and Aiden O Brien, was fifth in a group race last time out but was just touched off in a handicap the time before, holds a Group 1 entry later in the year so could be potentially well handicapped. Silver Ghost has stepped up on her two year old form with two smart three year old only handicap wins this season, winning very nicely at Goodwood last time and still looks comfortably ahead of the handicapper, hard to see her missing the frame. Ryka made a winning return as a three year old in smart fashion, her defeats last season came on soft ground and is 2 from 2 on good to firm so the quick conditions make her very plausible for a shrewd trainer. Mojave River for Joseph O Brien and the choice of Dylan Browne was only 2.5 lengths behind a subsequent Irish 1000 Guineas runner up, wasn't really put in the race on her return before hitting traffic problems when starting to make progress, this daughter of Group 1 winning miler Mohaather could be lurking as a group horse in a handicap.

MOJAVE RIVER (E/W)

SILVER GHOST (E/W)

(Liam Hall)

17:35 - KING EDWARD VII

The defection of Convergent has tightened the market here with the unbeaten Amiloc a warm favourite. As a gelding he couldn’t run in the Derby but he has some big entries and improved towards the end of the race last time and can stay further later on.

Wimbledon Hawkeye will need to improve for the step up in trip and I am not convinced on breeding or his Dante finish.

Puppet Master is to be respected for the all-conquering Aidan O’Brien string but it’s hard to get excited by his shows so far.

The stoutly-bred Zahrann was unraced at 2 and looks to be progressing rapidly, impressively coming from last to first to win well in a slowly-run race after being well-backed at Leopardstown.

ZAHRANN (WIN)

(Alan Morris)

18:10 - PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE

Realign has attracted notable early market support, buoyed by encouraging remarks from his connections. A costly breeze-up purchase, he ran into the promising Shadow Of Light on debut before finishing third in the competitive Convivial Maiden. He impressed when getting off the mark last time out, showing plenty of speed suggesting this stiff five-furlong trip should suit him well.

Hammer The Hammer has been in excellent form this season, but a 20lb rise in the weights may now leave him at the mercy of the handicapper as he shoulders top weight in this fiercely contested race.

At a more generous price, King Of Bears appeals as a potential each-way play. He’s been gradually easing down the handicap despite running respectably, and the stiff five furlongs on quick ground could play to his strengths. A bold showing wouldn’t surprise.

REALIGN (WIN)

(Toby Darby)