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Listen it wasn’t meant to be today – it was one of those days with two really tough seconds. Obviously just touched off in the Gold Cup with Coltrane who ran his heart out and looked to have the perfect passage through. Frankie didn’t and got checked up but still managed to come through and win so hats off to him. My other second was Valiant King who truth be told probably should have won. He just found a bit of trouble and we were just done on the line but fair play to His Majesty The King and Queen for winning.

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GUSHING GOLD
2.30pm Albany Stakes

In the opening race on Friday, I partner Gushing Gold ? for Andrew Balding. She ran a very good race first time out at Leicester when hitting the line strongly despite being a bit babyish and I think she has taken a step forward from the race. I really like Navassa Island trained by Michael O’Callaghan. She nearly won a Group Three on debut at Naas, so you have to really respect that form. Donnacha O’Brien’s filly, Porta Fortuna, beat her that day and is going to be partnered by Frankie Dettori. I think she is a very good filly too and is definitely improving. The Albany Stakes is often a tough race to win and this looks a decent renewal.

⭐ ALBANY STAKES MARKET ⭐

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SHAQUILLE
3.05pm Commonwealth Cup

I’m delighted to be getting a leg up on Shaquille ? in the Commonwealth Cup. He is by Charm Spirit out of a Galileo mare who has had a great season already and has a fantastic chance. Little Big Bear is a top-class horse and was impressive at Haydock under Frankie Dettori. I thought he got a fantastic ride that day on the correct part of the track. The other horse who is very interesting is Sakheer. He didn’t stay in the Guineas and is coming back in distance. I know that Roger Varian and David Egan hold the horse in very high esteem.

⭐ COMMONWEALTH CUP MARKET ⭐

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TEUMESSIAS FOX
3.40pm Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes

Next up, I partner Teumessias Fox ? who has improved no end this season having won at Kempton and Newmarket. I thought he was one of my best rides of the week and I’m drawn well. However, it is a big field and I will need plenty of luck in running This horse is improving, he has the right profile and I wouldn’t swap him for anything. I have been very lucky for King Power Racing before and I’ll be hoping for some more luck as it would mean an awful lot to me if I could win on Teumessias Fox.

⭐ DUKE OF EDINBURGH MARKET ⭐

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4.20pm Coronation Stakes

⭐ CORONATION STAKES ⭐

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COPY ARTIST
5.00pm Sandringham Stakes

⭐ SANDRINGHAM STAKES MARKET ⭐

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RELENTLESS VOYAGER
5.35pm King Edward VII Stakes

We will all be looking forward to seeing King Of Steel in the King Edward VII Stakes as he ran a cracking race in the Derby and will again be partnered by Kevin Stott. I ride Relentless Voyager ? who did well in the Italian Derby on his last start. He has a bit to find on ratings, but I will be taking my time and hopefully coming home strongly. My lad is a genuine horse and a great ride to have in a race like this. If King Of Steel underperforms, the contest could be very open. Arrest has done nothing wrong in his few starts so far, and he is one to keep an eye out for.

⭐ KING EDWARD VII STAKES MARKET ⭐

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THE BIG BOARD
6.10pm Palace Of Holyrood House Stakes

My final ride of the day is The Big Board ? for Richard Hannon and King Power Racing. He won well at Leicester and is an unexposed type of horse who is quite lightly raced. He has a nice weight in this race and deserves to be competitive. I like Frankness who has done nothing wrong this season and Harry Davies gave her a great ride to win at Goodwood last time out. She has the right profile for a race like this and should go very well. She carries Jeff Smith’s colours which have obviously been worn by some fantastic horses in recent years like Arabian Queen and Alcohol Free.

⭐ PALACE OF HOLLYROOD HOUSE MARKET ⭐

Good luck – look out for my Saturday blog!

Oisin

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