As a daughter of Galileo out of three-time Group 1 winner Albanova, owner-breeder Kirsten Rausing will be keen to enhance Albamara's paddock value, and the Sir Mark Prescott-trained filly looks to hold an excellent chance as she steps up to a mile and three furlongs following an excellent reappearance effort at Newbury last month.
Prescott gave her a lengthy break after she trailed home last in the Fillies' Mile in September, only returning her to the fray for a Listed event in Berkshire. She looked in need of the outing that day, getting outpaced before staying on again in the closing stages to finish just less than five lengths behind Great Heavens.
With Great Heavens sub-sequently a Group 2 winner and runner-up Miss Cato fourth in an American Grade 1, the form looks strong.
Albamara was thought good enough to be entered in the Irish Oaks, eventually being taken out earlier this week, and if she is on her A-game, she could take plenty of beating.
Mawaqeet (3.00) has become disappointing but perhaps the application of a visor can work the oracle in the maiden. A half-brother to a useful runner or two, Mawaqeet has been placed on three of his five starts to date and is not without ability.
Victoire De Lyphar is worth watching in the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing EBF Conditions Stakes. He has been struggling since winning a decent York event and finishing second in the Ayr Gold Cup in 2010.
Two big handicap dates last year ended in defeat, while his debut when well beaten at Newmarket i May was hardly encouraging. However, connections have struggled to get him right and the fact he takes his chance is, hopefully, a sign that he is starting to sparkle again.
Elsewhere, the Japanese runner, Deep Brillante, has been clipped into 16-1, from 20s, for Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. The three-year-old won the Japanese Derby on his latest start in May.
Japanese runners have done well in the race with Heart's Cry finishing a close-up third behind Hurricane Run in 2006. "Deep Brillante will be flying the flag, not only for Japan, but for the classic generation, as well, and although Yoshito Yahagi's charge has attracted some support, he will face a strong group of older horses on Saturday," said Coral's David Stevens.
The odds-layer has last year's winner Nathaniel as one of three 11-4 co-favourites after he won the Eclipse on his reappearance for John Gosden. Sir Michael Stoute's Sea Moon and Aidan O'Brien's St Nicholas Abbey share the position at the head of the market, although the latter was a minor drifter on Betfair on yesterday afternoon, touching 10-1 to small money before trading at 4-1 at around 2pm.
"We cannot spilt the three market principals and, at this stage, are happy to let punters decide which one should be favourite," added Stevens.
* King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ascot, Saturday
11-4 Nathaniel, Sea Moon, St Nicholas Abbey, 6-1 Dunaden, 10-1 Danedream, 16-1 Deep Brillante, Reliable Man, 20-1 Shareta, 33-1 Masked Marvel, Brown Panther, 200-1 Robin Hood, Windsor Palace.
