Wednesday’s Prince Of Wales’s Stakes betting preview: Latest runners, riders and odds and trainer quotes for the final field
ONLY eight runners, but wow what a field we have for arguably the race of the week.
Over half of the field have won a Grade 1 between them and that’s not even including the likes of Crystal Ocean.
1. Crystal Ocean – Sir Michael Stoute/Frankie Dettori (4-1)
Somehow this horse remains under the radar on the big stage and many have questioned why Sir Michael has opted for this race instead of the Hardwicke.
But he comes here in as good form as ever and it was only last summer he was one of the highest rated horses in training with the likes of Poets Word and Cracksman.
He comes here with the perfect prep – the same can’t be said for all of these – and his form over ten furlongs gives him a huge chance here, despite what plenty say.
2. Desert Encounter – David Simcock/Jim Crowley (50-1)
Probably punching above his weight here and would need a good few to run below par to figure.
Also won’t want any rain but can throw in a huge run every now and then.
Probably better over further though and plenty make more appeal in this.
3. Hunting Horn – Aidan O’Brien/Donnacha O’Brien (40-1)
Has had a busy start to his season racing here, there and everywhere and likely to be a pace setter for Magical in this.
Took the Hampton Court over course and distance at Royal Ascot last summer but this is a different kettle of fish all together and hasn’t won since.
Would need a huge career best to figure in this.
4. Waldgeist – Andre Fabre/Pierre-Charles Boudot (5-1)
Bounced back in a huge way to win the Group 1 Prix Ganay impressively in France last time out and a repeat of that would give him a sniff here.
However, he’s never been at his best on his travels, and despite being a Grade 1 winner, I’d rather side with the likes of Crystal Ocean at a very similar price.
Won’t mind a bit of rain however, and if it falls that could give him the edge over a few of these.
5. Zabeel Prince – Roger Varian/Andrea Atzeni (10-1)
Has a very odd profile. Has gone from a good handicapper to a Group 1 winner at the age of six, but continues to improve and can’t be ruled out here.
The form of his Earl Of Sefton win is also red hot, with the likes of Forest Ranger, Mustashry and Elarqam all in behind and since winning big races.
Roger Varian continues to fly along and he wouldn’t be throwing this horse in here without a massive chance. At big odds he makes plenty of appeal.
6. Deirdre – Mitsuru Hashida/Yutaka Take (50-1)
The whole of Japan will be tuning in for this, Ascot have even changed the race time so that it’s on at a more appealing time for the racing mad nation.
However, her odds suggest she has plenty to make up on the big guns here and that’s sadly the case, even if 50-1 does look a small but steep.
She was beaten six lengths by Almond Eye in Meydan and while that gives her a sniff at her best, she’d still have to improve on that somewhat.
7. Magical – Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore (15-8)
She’s proven popular in the antepost betting and it’s easy to see why – she has massive form claims.
She’s a multiple Group 1 winner and gets weight from all the lads in this, she ran Enable close in the Breeders’ Cup and is yet to put a foot wrong this season.
Any juice in her price has already gone, but it wouldn’t surprise you if the money keeps coming especially if the Ballydoyle brigade fancy her.
8. Sea Of Class – William Haggas/James Doyle (9-4)
Many have only just recovered from Sea Of Class just failing to get up on the line to beat Enable in the Arc, and this will be her first outing since that eventful Sunday.
She missed an intended comeback at York, but you can’t imagine a trainer as skilful as William Haggas would be running her in this if she wasn’t fully cooked.
She’ll have plenty of support and will deservedly be short enough in the betting. But, there are some questions to answer over trip and fitness. It’s whether her ability is enough to get her past this high class field.