Dank to end Fiesolana winning streak

Dank has already won twice at Group 3 level and was a fine third to Duntle in this grade at Royal Ascot last time out. Although she was always struggling to get to the leaders, she answered every call from Ryan Moore and was only beaten a length at the line.

She had previously repelled the useful Chigun and Thistle Bird in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket and handles this fast surface well. Sir Michael Stoute’s stable received a welcome boost with a sensational return to the track for Telescope on Thursday and Dank can round off the week in style.

Her main rival looks likely to be Willie McCreery’s much improved Fiesolana. The daughter of Aussie Rules is now on a four-timer having started her winning run in a handicap at the Curragh in May.

That was over a mile but she has shown her versatility by winning at six and seven furlongs since. She won the Ballyogan Stakes at Leopardstown and followed up in the Brownstown Stakes at Fairyhouse.

She was forced to pull out all the stops to repel a late challenge from the heavily backed Along Came Casey by a head. The runner-up is highly regarded by connections so Fiesolana is entitled to respect here.

Aidan O’Brien has been mopping up Group races in Ireland recently and relies on Oaks disappointment Say. The well-bred daughter of Galileo was fifth in the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes last time out, although it may not have been the strongest renewal.

Dermot Weld runs Caponata in the Abdulla colours whilst the consistent Aloof may be ridden with more restraint that when well beaten here last time. Mizzava may prove the best of the three-year olds after finishing fifth in the Irish Guineas and the Coronation Stakes.

Jessica Harrington’s Bible Belt may need this first outing of the season and What Style has a lot of ground to make up on Mizzava on Guineas form.