Frankie Dettori and Cracksman get there just in time
Frankie Dettori and Cracksman get there just in time

Six-day declarations for Royal Ascot on Wednesday


Click on race title for full racecard and free video form

Prince Of Wales's Stakes

Cracksman is the star name among just nine possible runners in Wednesday's Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. John Gosden's star colt will be looking to put an underwhelming display at Epsom behind him when he was all out to beat Salouen in the Coronation Cup. Prior to that he had looked exceptional in the Champion Stakes last season and on his return to action in the Prix Ganay.

Sir Michael Stoute's Poet's Word, second in the Champion Stakes but a yawning seven lengths away, is Cracksman's main danger - according to the bookmakers. He returned to winning ways in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on his latest appearance.

Aidan O'Brien has left in Cliffs Of Moher and the filly Hydrangea, who has other options during the week.

Martyn Meade will be hoping Eminent can put behind him a disappointing display on his return to action at Chester, while Hawkbill is in the same boat for Charlie Appleby after a no-show in the Coronation Cup. Desert Encounter, Morando and the French challenger Royal Julius complete the six-day confirmations.

Queen's Vase

Investec Derby sixth Delano Roosevelt is among five possibles from the Aidan O'Brien stable for the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot on Wednesday following the six-day confirmation stage. The Pentagon and Kew Gardens, who were eighth and ninth respectively in the colts' Classic, also feature in the provisional list from Ballydoyle. Ante-post favourite is another of O'Brien's entries, Southern France, who has won his last two starts in the style of an exciting young stayer. Nelson completes the O'Brien quintet.

Mark Johnston is also mob-handed with four possibles, though Mildenberger is more likely to head for the King Edward VII Stakes. Communique, King's Proctor and Lynwood Gold make up the Middleham trainer's team.

Other strong contenders include John Gosden's Stream Of Stars and Cross Counter from Charlie Appleby's stable. The O'Brien-trained Hydrangea, who heads the market for the Duke of Cambridge Stakes, is among 12 left in the Group Two contest over the straight mile.

Duke Of Cambridge

The O'Brien-trained Hydrangea, who heads the market for the Duke of Cambridge Stakes, is among 12 left in the Group Two contest over the straight mile. She has also stood her ground in the Prince of Wales's Stakes on the same card. O'Brien's other possible is Rhododendron, but she is more likely to run in the Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday.

Leading the home team are Marco Botti's Aljazzi, who was runner-up 12 months ago, and Roger Varian's Tomyris, winner of the Group Three Chartwell Fillies' Stakes at Lingfield. Tribute Act has been supplemented by trainer James Fanshawe and owners the Elite Racing Club. The four-year-old already held an entry in the Royal Hunt Cup the same day, but it is doubtful she will make the cut in the maximum 30-runner field for the big mile handicap.

Royal Hunt Cup

David Marnane will be relieved Settle For Bay is guaranteed a place following the confirmation stage. The four-year-old will be the County Tipperary handler's only intended runner at the Royal meeting. "He's a nice horse and we're quite excited," he said. "He's short enough in the betting."

Marnane has had the Hunt Cup as a long-term target after Settle For Bay returned from a pelvic injury to notch a four-timer during the winter. The trainer said: "He hit a mark of 99 there so we thought the Hunt Cup might suit him over a strongly-run mile, so we put him away.

"He had a comeback run last month at Leopardstown. We couldn't have been any happier with the run. He was fourth carrying top weight and didn't get the clearest of runs and came home very strong."

Major ante-post fancies Afaak and Lord Glitters remain on course but of those prominent in the market, Keyser Soze still needs a number of horses to come out at the final declaration stage to take his chance.

Related links

Like what you've read?

Next Off

Sporting Life
My Stable
Follow and track your favourite Horses, Jockeys and Trainers. Never miss a race with automated alerts.
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Click HERE for more information

Most Followed

MOST READ RACING

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo