Princess Of Wales's Tattersalls Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 2m 28.63s

(1)

Communique¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 114| C| D

11/1

Made all under an enterprising ride to "steal" the Jockey Club Cup on the Rowley Mile in May under today's pilot. Not found the scenario so conducive to such tactics since in Group company; rivals alive to his plans here, tough task under penalty.

Form: 25-7148

(4)

Baghdad²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 109| D

11/2

Top-class handicapper who deserves a shot at this company having landed back-to-back 1m4f handicaps this year off marks of 100 plus. Took the King George V Stakes for the second consecutive year last time (just held on); work to do at the weights.

Form: 311-311

(5)

Desert Encounter^h²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Harry Bentley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 116| D

25/1

Smart performer whose last win saw him land the Group 1 Canadian International (1m4f) at Woodbine late last year. Beaten twice in Dubai before finishing well held in Prince of Wales's at Royal Ascot; not in the form to feature at the moment.

Form: 131-388

(6)

Masar¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 119| D

5/6

Injured after his winning Derby exploits last season, he was absent from the track until returning with an encouraging fifth (Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes). Stumbling badly at the start the rest of the race hardly went to plan either; major player.

Form: 6/0131-5

(3)

Mirage Dancer¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 116| D

10/3

Smart performer who started his season with a decisive Goodwood Listed victory before showing his mettle in a higher grade at Royal Ascot (Hardwicke Stakes). Third on that occasion he may find it hard to contain a race fit Masar this time around.

Form: 2120-13

(2)

Dashing Willoughby²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 104

10/1

The only three-year-old; the Queen's Vase victor took his form up a level when landing that staying event beating a pair that run in the opener on the card. Well positioned in that event on ground (soft) that he enjoys; this will test him further.

Form: 128-231

Forecasts

Masar (5/6), Mirage Dancer (10/3), Baghdad (11/2), Dashing Willoughby (10/1), Communique (11/1), Desert Encounter (25/1)

The Hardwicke Stakes has often proved to be the key guide to this contest and it will be no surprise if that’s the case this year with the two main players in the market emerging from that race. MASAR, the likely market leader was only fifth at Royal Ascot but that was his first race since winning the 2018 Derby and events hardly went to plan at the Royal meeting; his class is expected to see him take revenge on Mirage Dancer. His trainer Sir Michael Stoute has won this nine times before so he’s not dismissed lightly. Dashing Willoughby is a rare 3yo runner but he may be a little inexperienced for this with Johnston pair Communique and Baghdad sure to make this a tough examination.