Just five runners go to post for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday, the first £1m race at the meeting, and while that might seem a poor return for a seven-figure investment, all five have a live chance on the pick of their form.
It is an international field, too, with Shahryar, the Sheema Classic winner on World Cup night in Dubai, attempting to become the first Japanese-trained winner at the Royal meeting, while Joseph O’Brien sends State Of Rest from Ireland, hoping to add a win as a trainer after having taken this race as a jockey aboard So You Think in 2012.
Like Lord North and Grand Glory, those two also have Group One-winning form in the book. But all four have a big fight on their hands against Bay Bridge (3.40), who is stepping up to the highest level for the first time.
Sir Michael Stoute’s colt was a deeply impressive winner of the Brigadier Gerard Stakes, looking every inch a Group One performer as he powered five lengths clear in the final furlong. That was just the seventh start of his career and offered every sign that the best is yet to come.
Royal Ascot 2.30 Wesley Ward has won this four times since 2009 so Love Reigns, highly impressive on debut at Keeneland in April, will be a popular choice. She could face an unusually strong opponent in Dramatised, however, as Karl Burke’s filly posted a good time to win at Newmarket in April.
Royal Ascot 3.05 The race was over before it had really started for Nahanni in the Derby at Epsom, as he was slow to stride and then stayed on into seventh. His earlier form puts him very much in the mix here, however, and the step up to 14 furlongs should suit.
Uttoxeter 1.00 Could Be Trouble 1.35 Copper Fox
2.10 Jessica Rabbit 2.45 Secret Secret 3.20 Soul Icon
4.00 Daranova 4.33 Mackie Dee
Hamilton 1.50 Lightning Attack 2.20 Santabella 2.55 Monte Forte
3.30 Stallone 4.10 Sophiesticate 4.40 Glittering Choice 5.10 Acoustic
Royal Ascot 2.30 Dramatised (nb) 3.05 Nahanni 3.40 Bay Bridge
4.20 Bashkirova 5.00 Symbolize (nap) 5.35 Bolt Action 6.10 Ffion
Nottingham 5.10 Knowwhentorun 5.45 Desert Team 6.20 Mostly Cloudy 6.50 Infiniti 7.20 Queen Of Comedy 7.50 Sunstone 8.20 Devon Envoy
Ripon 5.26 Never No Trouble 6.00 Boom Boom Pow 6.40 Blackcurrent 7.10 Reel Rosie 7.40 Azure Blue 8.10 Carrigillihy 8.40 Fast And Loose
Royal Ascot 4.20 Bashkirova is making a swift return to action after her Group Three win at Epsom last time, but that looks strong form and she is a fair price at around 5-1 to follow up.
Royal Ascot 5.00 A typically deep and competitive field for the Hunt Cup, with Totally Charming, Rebel Territory and Symbolize all shortlisted. The booking of top claimer Harry Davies just tips the balance towards Andrew Balding’s runner, who has plenty of form in big-field Ascot handicaps.
Royal Ascot 5.35 Bolt Action, impressive on debut at Leicester a fortnight ago, is a solid alternative to the favourite, Little Big Bear, at around 10-1.
Royal Ascot 6.10 Ffion was value for a little extra last time and with Richard Kingscote on board is a live contender at around 12-1 to go one place better than last year.
