Royal Ascot 2016: Cuff to capture Albany Stakes among Friday tips

David Metcalf | June 16, 2016

Cuff to collect in Albany Stakes

Cuff has a progressive profile and can provide leading Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien with a first success in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot (14.30).

The filly shaped with promise when a not knocked about fourth on debut over 5f at Navan, and has since won both her starts since being stepped up to 6f.

In the last of those at Naas, Cuff took her form to a new level when running out the easy three length winner of a Listed contest.

After tracking the leaders in the hands of a confident Ryan Moore, the two year-old was switched to the inside to take up the running a furlong and a half from home, before powering clear to beat Yulong Baobei with any amount in hand.

Rock solid form

The runner-up is a well-regarded sort who ran a blinder at this meeting earlier in the week when seventh of 22 at Ardad in the Windsor Castle Stakes, and the fourth home Magical Fire has come out and won since. That gives the form a rock solid look and sets a clear standard in this line-up.

Cuff is also effective on the going, and with Moore once again in the saddle and the prospect of even better to come, is going to be very hard to beat.