Update winners Venetian Sun (11/8) & Opportunity (6/1)

It had been a tough few days for Karl Burke during the first half of Royal Ascot but his top-class filly Venetian Sun came to the rescue in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup. A non stayer over a mile in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, the daughter of Starman had impressed when dropping back to sprint trips in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock last time. Encountering quick ground and returning to the scene of her Albany Stakes victory twelve months ago, Clifford Lee's mount raced enthusiastically before staying on gamely to fend off the late challenges of Spicy Marg and Division, whom she had beaten at the Merseyside track. A head scorer, it was a welcome change of fortune for her handler. The July Cup will presumably be next for the three year old.

While William Haggas went close with Division, the Newmarket trainer recorded his third winner of the week when Opportunity overcame stall one in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes. A cosy winner at Carlisle last time, the well bred Frankel gelding was raised eight pounds but it didn't prevent him from following up here. Given a superb ride by James McDonald, the four year old managed to challenge along the far rail and get the better of Warrant Holder who was produced to lead early in the homestraight. A length and three quarters separated the pair with three lengths back to the third. They are two highly progressive gelding with aspirations of competing in Pattern races later in the year. It was an excellent result for the Royal Ascot Update with the pair highlighted.

Sun Goddess had to wait for a gap to emerge in the Group 3 Albany Stakes but held every chance once in the open. Aidan O'Brien's runner wore down Light of Dawn inside the final furlong but couldn't withstand the strong finish of Leicester winner Libertango who was impressive having come from a wide draw and the rear. The Ballydoyle filly was beaten by a better one on the day. The eyecatcher of the race was the previously unbeaten Valentina Bella. Trained in France, the Armor filly was drawn in stall one and was switched to the stands side by Christopher Soumillon. She came home well and was only around six lengths in seventh - it was a remarkable effort and one well worth watching again. 

Top 40 entry Symbol of Majesty (18/1) ran a cracker finishing runner-up in the Sandringham Handicap under Saffie Osborne. Beaten a couple of lengths, John & Thady Gosden's filly held every chance before running on well. Frustratingly, the Update selection Glyfada (advised @ 10/1) was beaten a head for fourth having been heavily supported into 7/2 favourite.

It has been a tough week for followers of the Royal Ascot Update with 5 winners on the board - we have some strong chances tomorrow and fingers crossed we can finish on a high. I am heading to Nottingham for Racing TV, which will be my first visit to Colwick since August 2009. On that occasion, the likes of Steve Drowne, Graham Gibbons, Alan Munro and Robert Winston all rode winners. In the first race on Saturday, Cyrano De Bergerac lines up in the ten furlongs maiden - 40 years ago, the same named horse finished runner-up in the Cork & Orrery Stakes at Royal Ascot.