Unbeaten and successful at Royal Ascot, Denford Stud's Illuminate (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) has all the right credentials to further enhance her reputation in Friday's G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at Newmarket. Firmly on top at the end of a typically competitive renewal of the G3 Albany S. at the Royal meeting three weeks ago, the bay hails from the Richard Hannon stable so accomplished in this country's prestigious juvenile events. “She can get a bit warm and it is imperative that Hughesie can get her relaxed both in the race and during the preliminaries on what looks like being a hot day,” he explained. “He got her switched off at Ascot, but Wes Ward's filly went so fast that Lochsong would have been able to switch off in that race, so I just hope that there is again plenty of pace on and that Hughesie can use her finishing kick to similar advantage. She looked a very smart filly at Ascot and hopefully she can prove here that she has what it takes to go on to races like the Lowther and the Cheveley Park.”
Standing in her way is another who shone in Berkshire in Easton Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), albeit when second to Acapulco (Scat Daddy) in the G2 Queen Mary S. Al Shaqab Racing and Ritchie Fiddes' previously unbeaten grey was clear of the remainder which included the re-opposing third and fourth Besharah (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Kurland (Ire) (Kheleyf) and Fiddes is full of confidence. “We're very much looking forward to getting her back on the racecourse after what she did at Royal Ascot,” he commented. “She bumped into a freak that day, but proved she can perform at Group level. The way she galloped past the line would suggest she should stay the six furlongs well. She looks to be well drawn and hopefully has every chance of running a big race. We always weigh our horses and the race actually took very little out of her. Even straight after the race you'd hardly know she'd had a race. She is just a pleasure to own, as she has such a great attitude and hopefully we can start looking at Group One targets if all goes well.” The race's dark horse is the once-raced Haydock maiden scorer Blue Bayou (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) and it is significant that trainer Brian Meehan has booked Ryan Moore for the filly who caused a surprise when winning that June 10 six-furlong contest.
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