Rizeena to reveal classic potential in Duchess of Cambridge Stakes

Veteran trainer Clive Brittain knows how to train a classic filly having won the 1000 Guineas with Pebbles in 1984 and Sayyedati in 1993. He also won the Irish Guineas and the Coronation Stakes with Crimplene in 2000.

If Brittain reckons his Queen Mary winner Rizeena is in that class we should sit up and take notice. She has won her last three starts over the minimum five furlongs and steps up to six for the first time in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes.

The extra furlong holds no fears for Brittain or jockey James Doyle who brought the filly through with a perfectly timed challenge to win at Ascot. She is confidently expected to confirm the form those who finished behind her.

One Chance (third) and Fig Roll (fourth) did best, the latter having gone on to win a nice race over course and distance. Richard Hannon’s tough little filly will run her usual game race but faces a stiff task reversing the placings.

Fire Blaze (11th) and Bye Bye Birdie (12th) have even more to do to beat Clive Brittain’s runner although the latter has since won well at the Curragh. Aidan O’Brien’s filly beat a consistent sort in Heart Focus by three lengths and could emerge best of those horses beaten at the Royal meeting.

Charlie Hills has next year’s current 1000 Guineas favourite in Kiyoshi and runs another decent filly here in Queen Catrine. She is difficult to assess on a five-length win in a moderate race at Ayr but could hardly have been more impressive.

Lucky Kristale and Princess Noor were both well beaten by Kiyoshi at Ascot. Princess Noor but had previously looked useful when nudged out to win at Kempton and could do better here whilst Lucky Kristale had won her first two starts.