Azamour, Grandera, Ouija Board, Fantastic Light, Dubai Millenium and more recently Manduro carved their names in the hall of fame of the Prince of Wales' Stakes.
Though ran over 1m2f, this contest is also used as a prep race for classic pattern races staged over 1m4f later in the season. When he disposed of Dalakhani, Azamour became hero of the Irish Derby and went on to land the King George VI at Newbury), and notched third in the Breeder's Cup Turf at BelmontPark), Grandera followed up in Irish Champion Stakes.
Ouija Board, Lord Derby’s ‘a mare in a million’ will go on to score in the Nassau Stakes and in the Breeder's Cup Turf. As to Fnatastic Light, he proved to be a special horse too and was subsequent winner of the Irish Champion Stakes and Breeder's Cup Turf in 2001. Having bagged three Group Is before Ascot, Dubai Millenium, won nine contests out of ten and the Prince of Wales’s was his last triumph. He made sure however to smash the oppposition by a minimum of eight lengths before his new career as a stallion...Last but not least, an Andre Fabre-trained horse who could have - or should have - joined Montjeu’s, Sinndar’s, or Peintre Célèbre’ s Hall of Fame : Manduro. Two years ago, Manduro’s abitlity was above Dylan Thomas’. The latter emerged an Arc winner in 2007. Following this, the Prince of Wales' Stakes were rated as ‘2007 Best European Race'!
Runner-up in New Approach’s Derby,
Tartan Bearer had a luckless experience in last year’s controversial Irish Derby but tomorrow Sir Michael Stoute’s charge is provided a golden opportunity to capture his first Group I.
Tartan Bearer is such a consistent type that one can wonder if he’s ever had a bad day. That might occur on Wednesday,otherwise… Here’s quite a telling fact : Having contested only six races, his bank account already tops 530,000 £ and glancing at his performances, the Ballymacoll four-year-old is likely to prove the classiest. Alternatively, French contender,
Vision d'Etat is a very classy sort however
Tartan does have more room for improvement. Finally, the son of Spectrum remains unbeaten over 1m2f - three out of three. He is the one who’ll take all the beating.
Out of eight runners, two of them will be crossing the Channel, representing all-conquering Jean-Claude Rouget and Eric Libaud. It is fair to say that Rouget has established himself as the best European trainer over the last few weeks and
Never on Sunday’s first try at Group I level proved successful in the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp. He’s aiming a tougher affair but he’s surely able to be in the shake-up. 1000 Guineas winning jockey Christophe Lemaire will be in the saddle.
Cockney Rebel’s partner in the English & Irish 2000 Guineas, Olivier Peslier was asked to aboard 2008 French Derby winner
Vision D’etat. Recent conqueror of the Gr I Prix Ganay at Longchamp, the four year old will bid for a third Group I title. Fifth in Zarkava’s Arc, the form has been franked up by Ask and Youmzain - respectively 6th and 2nd in the Arc- and judged on this performance he’s got a strong chance. Following another controversial episode, it’s a shame Ioritz Mendizabal won’t be at Royal Ascot.
Having performed below par for his comeback in the Earl of Sefton Stakes (Gr III),
Twice Over made such a favorable impression in the Lockinge Stakes (Gr I, 3rd) that reversing form with
Virtual is not unlikely and if the son of Observatory proved too good for his rivals, neither would that be a fluke. Raced in a prominent manner, Henry Cecil’s representative wouldn’t give up without a fight.
Virtual came 1st and Alexandros 2nd but there wasn’t much at all between them three. The Warren Place master will try to saddle his 5th Prince of Wales’s winner. Henry Cecil also declared on his website : ''
Twice Over is in good order and will hopefully have a chance in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. Some rain would be beneficial to him’’ . Let’s not forget that Twice Over’s such an able animal, he did beat a certain Raven’s Pass last year.
Gosden-trained
Virtual is tried at 1m2f for the first time but one can’t see why he would not cope with it. The son of Pivotal landed the Lockinge Stakes having his first crack at that level and rider Jimmy Fortune gave him a splendid ride to deny Alexandros by a short head. Only tomorrow,
Virtual might have to dig deeper than his partner because
Tartan Bearer and
Vision d'Etat will be in the way.
Formerly trained by French handler Philippe Demercastel,Trincot is a recent import for Godolphin and the Dubai Princes were probably impressed by the four year old’s victory in the Gr II Prix d’Harcourt at Longchamp. The son of Peintre Celebre was certainly an eye catcher and again he will love the trip and will hopefully handle Ascot. In order to display his best, Trincot needs a strong pace and provided he gets that, he is more than capable to come close. 12/1 is an attractive price.
John Gosden’s second string :
Tazeez; whose latest performance is to erase. This horse is not straightforward but isn’t untalented. On a good day, he’s a genuine contender. German visitor,
Estejo is set a very tough task. Best to be watched.
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