DIFFERING form lines from Royal Ascot come to the fore in the Group Three Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes (1.45pm). Queen Mary sixth, ALTA REGINA, is a filly to be interested in. The Wathnan recruit was seen doing her best work late on when flying home under James McDonald, suggesting
Bill Esdaile
Friday 24 July 2026 7:52 pm
DIFFERING form lines from Royal Ascot come to the fore in the Group Three Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes (1.45pm).
Queen Mary sixth, ALTA REGINA, is a filly to be interested in.
The Wathnan recruit was seen doing her best work late on when flying home under James McDonald, suggesting that an extra furlong would suit.
With the form of that race subsequently franked in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, she looks like one of the best in the field.
Jamie Spencer, who rides Ascot’s straight course well, takes the mount, having won on her on debut and there’s plenty to like.
She looks the one to beat and is the play for me Win and Place with World Pool.
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I’m also keen to add Hamad Al Jehani’s filly into a World Pool Quinella (pick the first two in any order) with two other likable fillies that ran well at the Royal meeting.
DEE’S FUNNY GIRL is an intriguing runner, making her debut for the Donnacha O’Brien stable.
The Cotai Glory filly made a winning start over five furlongs at Thirsk back in May for Michael Keady.
Sold for £150k following that performance, she was far from disgraced when sent off a big price for the Albany Stakes.
Having been front-rank throughout, she was outpaced a furlong from home before staying on to the line to finish sixth behind a handful of high-quality fillies.
With a trainer upgrade and back in racing grade, she is the main danger to Alta Regina.
DARK ISSUE finished in front of Dee’s Funny Girl in the Albany, staying on strongly into fourth and will be tough to keep out of the frame again.
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Solving the closing five-furlong handicap (5.20pm) is no mean feat, but it looks worth forgiving KING OF LIGHT a disappointing effort at Ascot last time.
He reared as the stalls opened and blew the start, so I’d rather look at his form before that.
He only just missed the frame in the Epsom Dash on Derby Day but made no mistake at Windsor next time, winning with a bit in hand to produce a career-best performance.
He has been in good form this year, he won’t mind the fast ground and could go well if still in the same form as Windsor.
He’s one to back Win and Place with World Pool, and for a Quinella that would result in a mighty payout, throw in the consistent PILGRIM and the Oisin Murphy-ridden EMPEROR SPIRIT who has been beaten a half-length or less on his last two outings.
POINTERS SATURDAY
Alta Regina (Win and Place) 1.45pm Ascot
Alta Regina, Dee’s Funny Girl, Dark Issue (Quinella) 1.45pm Ascot
King Of Light (Win and Place) 5.20pm Ascot
King Of Light, Pilgrim, Emperor Spirit (Quinella) 5.20pm Ascot
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