16:25 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 19 June 2024

All14:3015:0515:4516:2517:0517:4018:15

Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 2m 3.12s

(2)

Alflaila²⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 118| C| D

6/1

Slow starter who ended 2022 firmly on the up, supplementing his Group 3 Strensall Stakes win at York with a high-class effort in the Darley Stakes at Newmarket (9f). Ran only twice in 2023, winning Group 2 at York on return before a creditable effort behind Auguste Rodin in Irish Champion Stakes.

Form: 2111/15-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(3)

Auguste Rodin²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 123| BF| D

13/8

Flopped in 2000 Guineas and King George but won all other outings at 3, namely Derby at Epsom, Irish Derby, Irish Champion and Breeders' Cup Turf. Flopped again on Meydan reappearance but took a big step back in the right direction when second in Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. Leading player.

Form: 1011-02

(6)

Hans Andersen²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 103

100/1

Useful colt who didn't need to be at his best to make a winning reappearance in minor event at Dundalk in April. Not disgraced back up in grade the last twice but is once again biting off more than he can chew.

Form: 180-156

(7)

Horizon Dore²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: M Barzalona| T: P Cottier| OR: 118| D

7/1

Progressed well last year, gaining his fourth success in a row in Prix Dollar at Longchamp (9.7f) in September and has returned at least as good this season, losing out only in a head-bobbing finish in Grade 1 at aforementioned track on most recent outing. Respected.

Form: 30-4252

(5)

Lord North⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 116| CD

10/1

8-y-o who won this race 4 years ago, but he came up short bidding for a fourth successive win in Dubai Turf at Meydan (9f) in March. Ran his most encouraging race of the year when third in Mile at Sandown the following month but he's likely to find at least a couple too good back up in grade.

Form: 4/11-283

(1)

Royal Rhyme^t²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 113| D

16/1

Most progressive last season, bolting up in Goodwood handicap before following up in a Ayr listed race (1¼m). Far from disgraced stepped up to Group 1 level when fifth in Champion Stakes here and outclassed his 3 rivals in Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on return. Interesting contender.

Form: 10115-1

(9)

Snobbish³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Fabien Lefebvre| T: M Guarnieri| D

150/1

Fairly useful maiden winner in France who is flying way too high at this level and is presumably here as pacemaker for stablemate Blue Rose Cen.

Form: 21-79

(8)

Zarakem⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: M Guyon| T: J Reynier| OR: 116| D

33/1

Rose through the ranks with a 5-timer last season and produced a career best to make a winning reappearance in the Prix d'Harcourt at Longchamp (10.4f) in April. However, ran below form in Group 1 there later that month and this isn't any easier.

Form: 1116-18

(4)

Blue Rose Cen²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: C Soumillon| T: M Guarnieri| OR: 116| D

14/1

Smart filly who had a brilliant season (for Christophere Head) last year, winning the Pouliches, Diane and the Prix de l'Opera. Ran respectably in Grade 1 at Longchamp (9.2f) on last month's reappearance and can be marked up having met trouble.

Form: 11451-5

(10)

Inspiral³²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 120| BF| C| D

9/2

High-class mare who completed a top-level hat-trick in the autumn with wins in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket (1m) and Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita (1¼m). Should be all the better for her reappearance and holds leading claims.

Form: 25111-4

Forecasts

Auguste Rodin (13/8), Inspiral (9/2), Alflaila (6/1), Horizon Dore (7/1), Lord North (10/1), Blue Rose Cen (14/1), Royal Rhyme (16/1), Zarakem (33/1), Hans Andersen (100/1), Snobbish (150/1)

INSPIRAL is sure to be all the better for her reappearance and the style of her win at Santa Anita back in November strongly suggests she still has unfinished business at this trip, so she's narrowly preferred to Auguste Rodin, who took a big step back in the right direction when runner-up in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last time. Royal Rhyme could be the one to fill the places on just his second try at the top level.