15:40 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 19 June 2019

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:35

Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 2m 10.25s

(6)

Crystal Ocean³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 125| C| D

3/1

Unlucky not to have won a Group 1 to date, particularly in last year's King George here. Has two wins in Group 3 class already this season and deserves another crack at this level but possibly better at 1m4f and may find one or two too good again.

Form: 1222-11

(4)

Desert Encounter^h⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 118| C

66/1

Managed to pick up the pieces to finish third in 2017's Eclipse and won a Grade 1 at Woodbine last year but generally struggles at the top level. Last of seven in this race last year and disappointed at Meydan when last seen.

Form: 6131-38

(7)

Hunting Horn³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108| CD

25/1

C&D winner of the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes last season but generally struggles at the top level and seemingly at his best on fast ground.

Form: 08-3344

(8)

Waldgeist⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: P C Boudot| T: A Fabre| OR: 122| D

4/1

Won the Prix Ganay last time out, a third Group 1 success in France but usually finds a few too good when taking on international rivals, as seen when running okay in defeat in last year's Arc. At his best on soft so any rain would be in his favour.

Form: 11455-1

(2)

Zabeel Prince²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 117

9/1

Won the Group 1 Prix D'Ispahan at Longchamp when last seen and hinted that day this extra 1f wouldn't be a problem. No doubt this is tougher but relatively lightly raced for his age and soft ground would be in his favour if the rain arrives.

Form: 0/102-11

(3)

Deirdre⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Yutaka Take| T: M Hashida| OR: 113| D

33/1

Group 1 winner in Japan and runner-up in last season's Hong Kong Cup. Limitations seemingly exposed in tougher races subsequently though and looks up against it again here.

Form: 112-646

(1)

Magical²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 123| C| D

13/8

Took a big step forward at the end of 2018, winning the Champions Fillies' and Mares here (1m4f, soft) and just denied by Enable at the Breeders' Cup meeting. Unbeaten in three starts this season, including a Group 1 last time. The one to beat.

Form: 012-111

(5)

Sea of Class²⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 122| D

5/1

Very talented filly who was only narrowly denied a trio of Group 1 wins when just failing to reel in Enable in the Arc. Drops back in trip for her seasonal return and not guaranteed a pace to aim at here (hold up performer); respected nonetheless.

Form: 211112-

Forecasts

Magical (13/8), Crystal Ocean (3/1), Waldgeist (4/1), Sea of Class (5/1), Zabeel Prince (9/1), Hunting Horn (25/1), Deirdre (33/1), Desert Encounter (66/1)

There's probably not much to separate two very talented fillies in MAGICAL and Sea Of Class but given the former has a few runs under her belt already this season and the latter isn't guaranteed to get the race run to suit, Aidan O'Brien's filly shades the vote. Crystal Ocean will be hard to kick out the frame and he makes most appeal from the remainder while Waldgeist and Zabeel Prince come into consideration if the ground gets very soft, particularly from an each-way perspective.