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More 2yos but more 3yos on Friday's card.

The Albany Stakes G3 is for the 2yo fillies over 1200m and there are 18 entered.  It is a very open race and we haven't much of a clue except we will probably have some of the hard-earned on Porta Fortuna (Italian Bring Luck and is the name for a ladybird) with Dettori riding for Donnacha O'Brien and they are on 11/2.  She has had two starts and done well in both.

There are two on 9/2 – Carla's Way for the Crisfords and James Doyle and Navassa Island O'Callaghen-Keane and the other runner on 11/2 is Soprano.

The Commonwealth Cup is G1 over 1200m for 3yos with 13 going to post.  Little Big Bear is on evens and should win this if all goes well – O'Brien-Moore.  Rivals include Sakheer 9/2 Varian-D Egan and Lezoo 7/1 Beckett-Dettori.  We have a roughie here in Mischief Magic 25/1 who followed up his win in the Breeders' Cup with a very indifferent run on return but we trust that was indicative of his true form.

The Coronation Cup G1 for 3yo fillies is over 1600m and has 7 runners with the all-conquering Tahiyra from the Dermot Weld yard with Chris Hayes in the irons on 8/13.

We are going a bit against this and think that Meditate 4/1 O'Brien-Moore could get her revenge this time.  There was only a length and a bit between them in the Irish 1000 Guineas so who knows.

The King Edward VII is for 3yo c&g over 2400m with just six runners.  King of Steel was a very good run indeed to finish second in the Derby and he's on evens for Varian-Stott.  Irish raider Continuous could be the main chaser and is on 13/2.

And our talking point – why do they continue to bar geldings from the classics?  That was relevant in the 18th century and is no longer relevant in the 21st century.