15:00 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 17 June 2020

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 2m 5.63s

(6)

Addeybb^p⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 122| CD

7/2

Dual Australian G1 winner earlier this year; he was second over C&D in the Champion Stakes in October and won at this meeting last year. Loves soft ground and any rain will benefit him greatly. Should go well but he might find one or two too good.

Form: 1212-11

(2)

Bangkok^t1¹¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 114| BF| D

25/1

Solid Group 2/3 performer in 2019 and was an easy Listed winner at Lingfield (1m2f, AW) two runs ago (broke track record). Below his best latest when third back there for the Winter Derby (1m2f) and will need a significant career best to win here.

Form: 2522-13

(1)

Barney Roy¹⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 116| C

8/1

Won the St James' Palace (1m) here in 2017. Failure at stud and returned to the track in good heart last year; not far off his best with two impressive wins over 1m1f at Meydan (Group 1/2) earlier this year and should make his present felt.

Form: 9/218-11

(3)

Headman²⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Watson| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 115| D

9/1

Improved rapidly in 2019 to land a pair of French Group 2 races (both 1m2f) but things didn't go to plan when missing the break in the Irish Champion (1m2f) in September. Off since and retains potential at this level but will need to be 100% ready.

Form: 2/61115-

(5)

Japan²⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 122| C| D

6/4

Dual Group 1 winner last year at Longchamp (1m4f) and York (1m2½f). Unlucky when third in the Derby and ran well from a poor position on testing ground in the Prix De l'Arc de Triomphe when last seen. Hasn't won first time yet but has the best form.

Form: 431114-

(7)

Lord North¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 116| D

5/1

Not straightforward in his younger days but fulfilling his potential after being gelded last June. Impressive Cambridgeshire/Listed win last autumn before a narrow win in the Brigadier Gerard (1m2f) 10 days ago. Still improving and a live outsider.

Form: 82121-1

(4)

Mehdaayih²⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 113| D

11/1

Listed/Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed against her own sex last year, she finished fifth in the Champion Stakes over C&D. Needs a big step forward in this company but could outrun her odds if getting an easy lead under her fine judge of pace.

Form: 171205-

Forecasts

Japan (6/4), Addeybb (7/2), Lord North (5/1), Barney Roy (8/1), Headman (9/1), Mehdaayih (11/1), Bangkok (25/1)

Addeybb is a solid, likeable and consistent individual who is likely to give his running and won't be far away. He loves soft ground and any rain will increase his claims. Barney Roy is a previous Royal Ascot winner and was in a good shape with two easy wins earlier in the year in Dubai. The conditions should pose no problem and should make his presence felt for an in-form yard. Headman and Lord North are climbing the ranks with further potential to be unlocked but have to prove they're up to this. After proving himself a top-drawer performer with two Group 1 wins last year, JAPAN is the selection to give Aidan O'Brien his fourth win in the race.