Royal Ascot: Prince of Wales´s Stakes

The Prince of Wales´s Stakes for older horses over 1 1/4 miles at 16.45 CET is the highlight of the second day of Royal Ascot. In previous seasons this has often been the best race of the entire year, e.g. when Manduro beat Dylan Thomas, but this years´ reunion is slightly below the normal level. Howver a fasconating contst is in prospect with runners from 3 countris. The German contender Estejo (Ralf Rohne/ Daniele Porcu) made all the running to win the Premio Roma on very heavy ground last autumn, but on this much faster ground and in this much hotter company, it will be surprising if he can finish in the frame.

The two French hopes Vision d´Etat (Eric Libaud/ Olivier Peslier) and Never on Sunday (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Lemaire) look much more dangerous. The former represents the all-conquering Rouget stable, but possibly needs some cut in the ground, while the latter won last year´s French Derby and also ran well in the "Arc". He is possibly the form choice, but the on to beat is Tartan Bearer (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), runner-up in the Epsom Derby a year ago, who can now score his first Group One victory. Virtual won the Lockinge over a mile in a desperate finish, with Twice Over a close third, but over this trip the latter is preferred and he can run into a place.

Betting forecast:
Tartan Bearer - Vision D`Etat - Never On Sunday