Prince of Wales´s Stakes at Royal Ascot

Last year the Prince of Wales´s Stakes (Group One, 10 furlongs) was the best race of the year, with Manduro defeating King George and Arc winner Dylan Thomas. The 2008 renewal at 16.45 CET this afternoon has a much larger field with 13 runners but does not match the high standard of 2007. Still, it is an excellent race with several possibilities, the most likely being a victory for Duke of Marmalade (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh), who looks to be following in stablemate Dylan Thomas´ hoofprints as the best older horse in Europe.

On a line through the German horse Saddex he holds Michael Jarvis´ Pressing (Neil Callan), while Godolphin´s Literato (Frankie Dettori), who was his superior last year, has disappointed twice this season. Ask (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) is highly rated, but may find this trip too short and the ground too fast. Pipedreamer (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune) and Phoenix Tower (Henry Cecil/ Ted Durcan) are both improving, but moving up in class, and it may be left to French-trained Loup Breton (Elie Lellouche/ Christophe Lemaire), whose stable is in great form, to follow him home.

Betting Forecast:
1.Race: Calming Influence - Jupiter Pluvius - Dream Eater
2.Race: Heaven Sent - Sabana Perdida - Baharah
3.Race: Duke Of Marmalade - Phoenix Tower - Ask
4.Race: Bankable - Lang Shining - We`Ll Come
5.Race: Danehill Destiny - Heart Shaped - Baileys Cacao
6.Race: Makaaseb - Maramba - Shabiba