The Fallon Factor: “She’s miles clear on the ratings and will be delivered perfectly for this race”

The Commonwealth Cup is a new addition to the meeting, but I did win the other highlight on the card, the Coronation Stakes, on the wonderful Russian Rhythm. She was one of the best I rode and was another filly who was built like a colt. I’ll never forget the first time I rode her. I did a piece of work on her on the Limekilns in Newmarket and I turned around at the end of it and said to her trainer Sir Michael Stoute ‘whoa, this is a serious horse’. She certainly was.

2.30 Royal Ascot – Albany Stakes

I think Alpha Centauri is a monster and looks like one of those good fillies you’d see trained by Aidan O’Brien. However it’s not quite that simple. I understand connections feel she needs some cut in the ground and she’s drawn out in stall one as well. It’s far from ideal to be out there and if she’s stuck on a wing she’s not going to like that. As a result it’s probably worth having a look at another in the race as well, which brings me to Take Me With You. She’s a proper filly as well.

3.05 Royal Ascot – King Edward VII Stakes

Sir John Laveryis a much better horse than he showed at Lingfield. He didn’t like the softer ground there and he’s regarded as one of the nicest horses Aidan O’Brien has in the yard. We run Best Solution and he’s been working really well too. He’s drawn out wide, which is somewhere I never liked to be at Ascot, so that tips me towards Sir John Lavery.

3.40 Royal Ascot – Commonwealth Cup

This race is all about Harry Angel. The performances he’s been putting in on the speed figures are not far behind Frankel, and he’s maturing all the time. He strikes me as a horse that is growing up all the time with racing and experience and one day he’ll be the finished article. He’s some horse.

4.20 Royal Ascot – Coronation Stakes

Winter will win this race. She’s miles clear on the ratings and will be delivered perfectly for this race by Aidan O’Brien. She’s trying to win the 1,000 Guineas, Irish 1,000 Guineas and at Ascot – similarly to Churchill – but she had a much easier race last time than he did. She’d have been working around turning tracks at home and up a hill at home so the course holds no fears.

5.00 Royal Ascot – Queen’s Vase

You have to take note when Dermot Weld sends a runner overseas, so I’m siding with Haripour. Dermot doesn’t just come over for a day out and it means this horse must have a serious chance.

5.35 Royal Ascot – Duke of Edinburgh Stakes

We run Red Galileo in this race and he’s an interesting sort. He’s never been a flashy worker and has taken time to come to himself, but I led him in a piece of work on a really nice horse the other day and he sprinted by me. It’s the first time he’s looked himself and shown more than usual. He’ll be a big price and I think he’s an interesting runner.

Good luck,
Kieren