The Albany Stakes

I have been having a very frustrating ascot with dangers Rizeena and No Nay Never winning both winning at decent prices whilst my selections on the main have bombed. Hoping that will change, with the last two races the Albany and the Chesham looking like good opportunities to claw back profit lost. This is my runner by runner view on the Albany

Arabada- By Elnadim out of a modest dam, albeit a well related one being a half sister to Breeders cup winner Drosselmeyer. Readily beat a subsequent winner on debut at Catterick on debut but will have to massively improve on that form to play a hand here

Heart Focus- Trained, bred and owned by a man who always need to be feared in these events. She has been consistent in her four runs so far, with a steadily progressive profile culminating in an excellent second last time to the probable favourite, Sandiva in a listed contest at Naas. However that rival readily outpointed her by two lengths, the first two well clear from Fig roll who ran an excellent fourth in the Queen Mary earlier in the week. Couldn't rule out completely but has more to find to be a win contender

Isheemist- As a £3,000 purchase she owes connections nothing but surely there for the day out. Beat the frustrating cockney bob in a very weak Goodwood maiden and then improved with a decent fourth in the Hilary Needler at Beverley. Pat Smullen a good jockey booking but will not be winning this

Joyeus- By the super producer Kind, this filly is of course a half sister to the incomparable Frankel, as well as the group winners noble mission and bullet train. This one by Oasis Dream is bred to be a bit more forward than her illustrious siblings. Impressive on debut she beat Dancelot by almost 4 lengths and that one ran second to a promising sort at Kempton on Wednesday. Wears a hood which would suggest she has a quirks but she was quite professional first time out. Lady Cecil and Tom Queally are both in decent form. An obvious chance although possibly priced up on who she is rather than what she has done

Kidmenot- Won last time, her first win in four races, when beating Mr Matthews who has since gone in at Carlisle. She will not be winning this

Kiyoshi-  A massive eyecatcher under a considerate ride in what has proved to be a very strong Newmarket maiden she made no mistake next time in a decent race at Goodwood, first two well clear. The second has since filled the runners up spot to one of today's rivals, Wedding Ring at HQ. This daughter of Dubawi certainly has claims at decent odds

Lady Lara- An excellent Art filly who is related to a couple of winners abroad. Chucked in very deep here on debut. Will almost certainly sink

Lucky Kristale- one of the more likely outsiders. She has decent form in winning both her races. On debut pulling 11 lengths clear of the third when short heading subsequent winner Our Queenie and next time slamming Vigor by four lengths, who has since beat a promising sort of Sir Mark Prescott's easily in a Brighton maiden. Almost certainly would be shorter if housed in a more fashionable stable and has chances under the excellent Graham Lee

Midnite Angel- An impressive winner last time out, won seven lengths despite showing signs of greeness, she is the Richard Hannon first string, and a recent addition to the big spending Sheikh Al Thani operation. Obviously connections always need to be feared in these races, have won the race twice in the past decade, but i am not convinced by her profile.

Princess Noor- a £120,000 purchase and related to five winners she won a muddling race on the All Weather at kempton on debut. At first glance i thought it may have been a decent race, with serial runner up Memory Styx finishing only fifth. However the runner up let the form down when being well beaten at Brighton. I am a massive fan of Roger Varian and he does know his way around a two year old but i am not convinced she will be good enough to take a hand here

Race Hunter- Another runner for the well endowed Qatar Racing operation, she won well on debut. The runner up that day is a disappointing sort though. By David Barron who is a sneakily good trainer of two year olds and ridden by a master in Johnny Murtagh, this $160,00 daughter of crack US stallion Dixie Union is not without a chance but is likely to find a few too good

Rasheeda- Bred to make an impression at two, her dam violette was a group winner at two, other classy two year old types in the pedigree. A well backed winner on debut at Doncaster where she was strong at the finish having met slight interference. The runner up has since been beaten further by a promising Godolphin filly at Leicester. Another unexposed type with some sort of chance, it would be a shock if she was good enough to take top honours here

Red Lady- beaten out of sight on debut before then improving out of all recognition on second start when bolting up by four lengths at 25/1 from stepping out who has since franked the form with a comfortable victory in a weak Brighton maiden. Brian Meehan is having a fine time with his two year olds this year, operating at a 21% strike rate and showing a £24.38 profit. The sneaking suspicion is she got the run of the race at Haydock where she was in the front rank throughout, nothing got involved from behind. Not without a chance if going strictly by the form book

Sacred Aspect- Irish raider who won a six runner maiden at Leopardstown on yielding ground last time. I must confess i am not fully clued up the formlines of the Irish form but she does have a quality jockey on board. Cost only £7,500 and would be a surprise winner

Sandiva- originally a £18,000 purchase from the shrewd Middleham racing syndicate she was recently transferred to Sheikh Al Thani for no doubt a substantial profit for it members. A half sister to Brittania fourth Wentworth she was very impressive on debut at Nottingham when winning by six lengths from the aforementioned Stepping Out, despite being very green and being pushed along after two furlongs. Then travelled to Naas for a strong listed contest winning comfortably by two length. Has Frankie Dettori on board for the first time and has a very real chance of giving the Italian his first winner of the week. Absolutely the one to beat

Sleepy Sioux- trainer and jockey having a good time of it this season but this one wont be improving on those respective records. Finished 8th on debut, not running without promise but will do well to finish 8th here

Suite- Beat a decent yardstick on debut, before being bested by Alutiq- 7th in the Queen Mary, won her side- at Newbury. Quite well bred she cost £62,000 for owner Julie Wood but does look the second string of the Hannon duo. Of all the big outsiders possibly the most likely to sneak into the frame

Wedding Ring- £310,000 purchase from the family of St Leger winner Rule of Law who looked very impressive on debut, wore white cap beat her more fancied stablemate- runs in the Chesham tomorrow- who had already shown decent form on debut. A live chance for a trainer enjoying a decent season with his juveniles

Wonderfully- Regally bred daughter of Galileo- full sister to Mars, half sister to group one winning juvenile Nayarra- who won on debut. She took an age to reach the leaders just getting up on the line to win by a short head. Already looks like she may need further to be seen to best effect and it is a surprise to me that she doesn't run in the Chesham on Saturday. Jockey/Trainer combination obviously massively respected and is one that is totally unexposed. However i just think things may be happening a stride too quickly for her on this occasion

Verdict

For me this race revolves around Sandiva. She was well fancied before her debut when hacking up by six lengths before winning at listed level last time. Described by her trainer as potentially the best juvenile to pass through his hands i think she could potentially be a top notcher. Already favourite for next years 1000 guineas she has to go close. Of the others Joyeuse' price has the potential to be massively under's and Wonderfully may need further to be seen to best effect. Wedding Ring and Kiyoshi may be bigger threats to the selection. Of the outsiders there are reasons to believe Red Lady and Lucky Kristale may outrun their respective odds

1st Sandiva
2nd Wedding Ring
3rd Kiyoshi