Princess Of Wales's Stakes (Sponsored By The Kingdom Of Bahrain) (Group 2)

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 2m 32.36s

(2)

Arabian Crown⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 110

4/1

Last year's Sandown Classic Trial winner. Not seen again until a respectable fourth at Meydan (1½m, good) in March but failed to build on that when sixth of 7 in Gordon Richards at Sandown in April. Buick seemingly prefers El Cordobes.

Form: 111/1-46

(3)

El Cordobes²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 108| D

7/2

Produced a smart performance when wide-margin winner of a 1½m Rowley Course handicap at the Guineas meeting. Creditable run in Newbury Group 3 next time but below par when stepped up to 1¾m at York since. Something to find even on his best.

Form: 7-22133

(4)

Palladium¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: R L Moore| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 114| D

13/8

Last year's German Derby winner who was sold for €1,400,000 before winning Huntingdon maiden hurdle Huntingdon in January on sole start for Nicky Henderson. Has made a solid return to the Flat for his new yard but has 1¼ lengths to make up on Ghostwriter from last month's Hardwicke at Royal Ascot.

Form: 1416-34

(5)

Wimbledon Hawkeye²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: S D Bowen| T: James Owen| OR: 109

5/2

Smart colt who took the Royal Lodge on the Rowley Mile last autumn. Most creditable efforts in defeat this season, including 3½ lengths fourth of 9 to Amiloc in King Edward at Royal Ascot (1½m, good to firm) 20 days ago. The first-time cheekpieces he wore on that occasion are left off.

Form: 13-2534

Non-Runners

(1)

Ghostwriter¹⁹

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: C G Cox J: D Egan

Forecasts

Palladium (13/8), Ghostwriter (15/8), Wimbledon Hawkeye (5/2), El Cordobes (7/2), Arabian Crown (4/1)

GHOSTWRITER is taken to confirm recent Royal Ascot superiority over Palladium and deservedly get his head back in front. Sole 3-y-o Wimbledon Hawkeye is another who arrives on the back of a decent effort at the Royal meeting and looks best of the remainder.