Supremacy Set Sights on Pavilion Stakes Score

Ante-post Commonwealth Cup (G1) favorite Supremacy  looks to follow the route taken by Eqtidaar , who finished second in the QIPCO British Champions Series Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes (G3) on his 3-year-old reappearance in 2018 before plundering the group 1 sprint at Royal Ascot in June.

Unlike Eqtidaar, Supremacy boasts a lofty official rating of 118 after a stellar juvenile campaign. The handicapper believes he has a stone in hand of his nearest rival in the Pavilion. Is his mark accurate and will he make it four victories in a row?

Judged on his Juddmonte Middle Park (G1) effort in September last year, it is hard to believe his mark has been inflated. Supremacy showed notable improvement for each of his four outings and produced a gutsy and impressive all-the-way victory at Newmarket.

Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (G1) winner Lucky Vega  (second), Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (G2) victor Minzaal  (third), Tattersalls July Stakes (G2) winner Tactical  (fourth), and Norfolk (G2) hero The Lir Jet  (fifth) give the Middle Park form an extremely strong look, and Supremacy's time was :27 seconds faster than subsequent Dubai Duty Free Fred Darling (G3) winner Alcohol Free posted in the Cheveley Park earlier on the card.

If Supremacy can reproduce that form, he should make a winning return to action. The fact that he's never run at Ascot and that he was beaten on debut last year, and therefore maybe vulnerable after a layoff, are the only question marks. If either were to see him run below-par, the race-fit Jumby could be the one to pick up the pieces.

Room to maneuver was at a premium at Newmarket where he finished third 13 days ago and the bird had flown by the time he found daylight. His debut victory came at this track, and this son of Prix du Jockey Club (G1) winner New Bay could have more to offer.

Horris Hill third Saint Lawrence proved he trained on from 2 to 3 at Newbury earlier this month, while Apollo One, who took third in last year's Betway Solario Stakes (G3), brings recent all-weather form to the table. Supremacy will need to be near his best to live up to the hype.

Life's a Breeze for Kirby

Adam Kirby was busy watching some speedy types of the future at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Ups in Newmarket on Tuesday and is looking forward to being reunited with another flying machine in the shape of Supremacy.

Kirby and trainer Clive Cox know all about the Commonwealth Cup having won it a year ago with Golden Horde, and the jockey reckons this son of Mehmas  has all the attributes to provide a follow-up.

Supremacy topped off a great season when making all the running to hold Lucky Vega in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket last September, and Kirby reckons he will be suited to this track.

He said: "Supremacy is in good order and gave us a couple of great days last year. I'm looking forward to another great year with him, and he's strengthened out over the winter. He's a very uncomplicated horse, and I expect a track like Ascot to suit his running style.

"Hopefully, then the plan would be to have a crack at the Commonwealth Cup in which we had a great day a year ago with Golden Horde."