Review: Gr.2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes

Despite being penalized for her Gr.1 Sun Chariot Stakes win last season, seasoned jockey William Buick took full advantage of that superior track position by kicking his mount for home entering the final three furlongs.

Saffron Beach responded brilliantly, stretching away and maintaining her lead throughout the final furlong.

“I watched it with a real pro, [ex-trainer] David Loder, and he just kept saying, ‘so easy, so easy, so he gave me real confidence, which was nice. You always worry about that 5lb penalty, but it’s been a rule for years and I suppose it’s there for a reason,” said Chapple-Hyam.

“I presume it will be the Prix Rothschild on August 2, the Sun Chariot at Newmarket, and then the Breeders’ Cup. We will leave it to the owners,” she said.

David O’Meara’s Thunder Beauty came from off the pace finish in second place while Primo Bacio was in third.

Jason Kelly, assistant to David O’Meara, said of the runner-up: “Thunder Beauty has run a great race. She has obviously been consistent between Lingfield and the Curragh, and it was a good run in Ireland.

While Primo Bacio’s trainer Ed Walker said: “Finally she has got her ground! God knows what happened at Goodwood. She wasn’t right, but lots of my horses weren’t right. She came back and was not a well filly for a while. I was so miffed after Goodwood, and it did not come out immediately, but she was not herself and was brewing something.

Bashkirova didn’t take off well and was in trouble a long way out. She couldn’t get anywhere near to landing a blow.