Royal Ascot 2015: Commonwealth Cup preview (15.40)

A stellar field go to post for the inaugural running of the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, and American raider Hootenanny is fancied to emerge victorious in the 6f contest confined to three-year-olds.

The Wes Ward trained colt had some top class form as a juvenile, landing the Listed 5f Windsor Castle Stakes at this meeting by a runway 3 1/2 lengths before running a blinder to be beaten just a 1/2 a length by The Wow Signal in the Group 1 Prix Mornay over 6f at Longchamp.

Hootenanny went on to round off the campaign with success in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf over 1m at Santa Anita, and looked as good as ever on his seasonal reappearance at Keeneland when quickening clear to register a facile 6 1/4 length success in an extended 5f allowance contest.

The son of Quality Road has now won four of his six starts, and has the combinbation of a high cruising and ability to quicken which are ideal for this contest.

Hootenanny has also won over further, and that is a big plus in a race which looks set to be run at a searching gallop.

Ward also reports Hootenanny to have thrived since his Keeneland success and, with Ryan Moore in the saddle, looks the one they all have to beat.

Limato lost his unbeaten record last time out when runner-up to Adaay on soft ground at Haydock, but had previously looked a very exciting prospect and is a major player now returned to a quicker surface.

The Henry Candy trained gelding showed progressive form when winning four times as a juvenile, and was particularly impressive in the last of those when cruising to success in the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar.