The Commonwealth Cup is a Group 1 contest run over 6f. It takes place at 15:05 on Friday 23rd June, which is the fourth day of Royal Ascot 2023. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

NR⁽³⁾

311-15

Cold Case

T: K R Burke

9-2

108

All wins on good/good to soft; may well bounce back from his poor effort (beaten 20l) in the Haydock race won by Little Big Bear, having been consistent and progressive otherwise; has something to find on ratings but will certainly prove suited by the scenario, having won the Commonwealth Cup Trial over C&D (Group 3; beat The X O) in early May; non-runner

8⁽⁴⁾

911-11

Shaquille

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Julie Camacho

9-2

111

131

Well treated off 94 in Newmarket handicap on 2,000 Guineas day, then comfortably followed up in Newbury Listed event that's become a recognised stepping stone to the Commonwealth Cup; acts on most ground; seems highly strung (mounted in chute and taken down early last time; has displayed other quirkiness) so needs to show he can handle the atmosphere of this huge occasion; otherwise an improving colt who is 4-4 over 6f and holds major claims.

12⁽⁸⁾

132-12

Ocean Quest

J: Colin Keane

T: Mrs John Harrington

8-13

107

125

Irish filly whose form figures read 13212; recorded a 6l success in Listed grade at Navan (5.7f, heavy) on seasonal debut, then nearly followed up in Group 3 at Naas (6f, good) where she finished strongly and failed only narrowly to collar a solid Ballydoyle colt, faring clear best of the high-drawn runners; progressing nicely and has hitherto proved a solid performer; very appealing.

2⁽²⁾

111-01

Little Big Bear

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O'Brien

9-2

124

135

Had a few excuses for his 2,000 Guineas flop; star performer over sprint distances otherwise and subsequently justified favouritism in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock (6f, good to firm; beat Shouldvebeenaring) where he gained an advantage by racing near the stands' rail but won well enough to think he retains plenty of his juvenile talent; crowned last year's European champion 2yo having been so impressive in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on good ground, and that brilliant success represents the best form in this field; won the Windsor Castle here 12 months ago; has to be greatly feared.

6⁽⁶⁾

4141-6

Rumstar

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

9-2

105

119

Juvenile season featured wins in Glorious Goodwood nursery over 6f and Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket over 5f; made no impact under a penalty in Listed grade at Newbury (race won by Shaquille) on reappearance and he looks a long way from top-tier material; towards the bottom of this pack on ratings.

3⁽¹³⁾

165-42

Marbaan

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charlie Fellowes

9-2

110

124

Raced mainly on good/firmer; Group 2 winner over 7f last summer then underperformed in a couple of Group 1 races, including on soft ground, at the same trip; back in better form dropped back to 6f this season, finishing fourth in Group 3 here then going close in Salisbury Listed event; faces a harder task returned to the top level.

14⁽⁷⁾

114-30

Swingalong

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

8-13

105

120

Has tackled longer trips this term, finishing third in the Fred Darling then last of ten (looked a non-stayer over 1m) in the Pouliches; had some useful 2yo form over 6f, namely a success in the Lowther and fourth to Lezoo in the Cheveley Park Stakes, both on good ground; not fully exposed at this distance.

9⁽¹²⁾

152312

Shouldvebeenaring

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

9-2

112

123

His most recent win came in 7f Listed event at Newmarket two starts ago; appeared to run very well behind Little Big Bear at Haydock on the return to 6f, though is possibly flattered the way the race panned out (had the near-side advantage for most of the way and nothing behind the first two showed their form); that said, he's tough and largely consistent so could go well again.

5⁽⁵⁾

111-63

Noble Style

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Appleby

9-2

114

131

High-profile colt whose speed looked somewhat blunted and who got going too late in the Newbury Listed race won by Shaquille, having been trained for the 2,000 Guineas where he didn't quite get home over 1m; one of the leading 2yos in his unbeaten 2022 campaign that culminated in an above-standard success in the Gimcrack at York (6f, good); major player if back to that very smart form and readjusting to sprint pace; fitting of cheekpieces may help in that respect.

4⁽¹⁾

1141-8

Mischief Magic

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

9-2

113

124

Ran poorly in the Commonwealth Cup Trial over C&D on sole outing this term, therefore still needs to prove he's trained on; however, developed well during a 2yo campaign that included wins in the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton (6f, AW) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland (5.5f, firm); possibilities if tapping back into that advancement; tongue-tie applied.

10⁽⁹⁾

131532

The X O

J: Robert Havlin

T: John Ryan

9-2

104

118

AW form includes novice/handicap wins at Southwell and good third in major prize at Newcastle; outran his 125-1 odds in the Commonwealth Cup Trial over C&D on the switch to turf, finishing second; improving colt but has much more on his plate in this field, as the ratings confirm.

11⁽¹⁴⁾

1211-8

Lezoo

J: Frankie Dettori

T: Ralph Beckett

8-13

114

127

Non-stayer in the 1,000 Guineas on sole outing this term, confirming that she's best going down the Commonwealth Cup route, and therefore has a similar profile to male counterpart Sakheer; recorded form figures of 11211 (on good/firmer; mostly over 6f) during her solid 2yo campaign, including wins in the Princess Margaret here and Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket; the second-place finish came behind subsequent 1,000 Guineas winner Mawj; could well resume her progress dropped back in distance; worthy of respect.

13⁽¹¹⁾

123-9

Queen Me

J: Jim Crowley

T: Kevin Ryan

8-13

104

119

Non-stayer over 1m in the 1,000 Guineas on sole start this season; promising over 6f (on good/good to soft) last term, notably going close behind Swingalong in the Lowther at York on the second of those three appearances; has something to find on the figures but this drop back in distance looks a big plus and she may rate higher yet.

7⁽¹⁰⁾

211-7

Sakheer

J: David Egan

T: Roger Varian

9-2

114

128

Midfield (below par) in the 2,000 Guineas on sole run this season, appearing to confirm that he's a Commonwealth Cup prospect as opposed to a potential miler; very promising 6f colt (on good/firmer) last term, recording form figures of 211 that culminated in an impressive performance in the Mill Reef at Newbury; retains major potential and looks an exciting contender back down in trip; judged on 2yo evidence, he could easily develop into a top performer at this distance.

RACING POST TIP

Lezoo

Although short-priced Little Big Bear commands major respect despite a slight doubt over his Sandy Lane form, there are several plausible alternatives at bigger odds in a typically competitive Commonwealth Cup. LEZOO, who bagged Group 1 honours on her last 6f attempt and could well have more to offer back sprinting, is the first choice ahead of the improving Ocean Quest who should relish this test having been strong at the end of her races. Those two appealing fillies have the bonus of a 3lb sex allowance. Sakheer (third choice) remains of strong interest and Noble Style may prove resurgent in first-time headgear, while Shaquille has clear possibilities if he handles the occasion. Little Big Bear faces stiffer competition than last time but his peak 2yo figure sets a high standard.

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2022	Perfect Power [1]	3	9-2	7/2	Christophe Soumillon	Richard Fahey
2021	Dragon Symbol [18]	3	9-0	4/1	Archie Watson	Oisin Murphy
2020	Golden Horde [10]	3	9-0	5-1	Clive Cox	Adam Kirby
2019	Advertise [4]	3	9-3	8/1	Martyn Meade	Frankie Dettori
2018	Eqtidaar [3]	3	9-3	12/1	Sir Michael Stoute	Jim Crowley
2017	Caravaggio [5]	3	9-3	5/6F	A P O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2016	Quiet Reflection [8]	3	9-0	7/4F	K R Burke	Dougie Costello
2015	Muhaarar [8]	3	9-3	10/1	Charles Hills	Dane O’Neill

Key race stats

At least one top-two finish within last two starts, 7/7
Distance winner, 7/7
Group-race winner, 6/7
Adjusted RPR of at least 128, 6/7
Rated within 3lb of RPR top-rated, 6/7 (two top-rated)
Top-three finish at the track, 5/7

Other factors

Three winners contested the Coventry the previous season, finishing 125, while another had won the Queen Mary.
One had run in the 2,000 Guineas and one in the French Guineas, both well beaten.
25 fillies have run, finishing 3900014570002525000986431.

What happened last year?

Winner of the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2021, Perfect Power, who was a non-stayer when upped to a mile in the 2,000 Guineas on his previous start, flew home on the far side and won going away under Christophe Soumillon. Flaming Rib, who was second in the Group 2 Sandy Lane, claimed the runner-up spot, while outsiders Flotus (40-1), Cadamosto (40-1) and Miramar (125-1) were next home.

Commonwealth Cup

16:20 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats

What happened last year?

All Races