THE DUAL 2,000 Guineas winner, Henrythenavigator, will lead what is emerging as an ultra-powerful squad from Aidan O'Brien's yard into next week's Royal Ascot festival.
Henrythenavigator is set to start an odds-on favourite for the St James's Palace Stakes on Tuesday as he attempts to follow in the Ballydoyle footsteps of Giant's Causeway (2000), Black Minnaloushe (2001), Rock Of Gibraltar (2002) and Excellent Art last year.
"When running him in the Derby was ruled out, the Ascot race looked the obvious next step for him," said O'Brien who will also aim his star stayer Yeats at what could be a third Ascot Gold Cup success in a row.
Duke Of Marmalade is a general 2 to 1 favourite to complete a Group One hat-trick in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes on the second day after wins in the Prix Ganay and the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
The ex-Australian star Haradasun was well beaten on his European debut in the Lockinge but is currently rated a 6 to 1 third favourite for the Queen Anne Stakes over a mile.
US Ranger and Astronomer Royal are entries for the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes while O'Brien's juvenile squad may include the Marble Hill-winning filly Heart Shaped as well as the Curragh maiden winner Mastercraftsman.
Meanwhile, Leopardstown proved a happy hunting ground for the Co Waterford-based trainer Pat Flynn last season but his progressive three-year-old Prince Shaun could take him to another level with victory in this evening's feature at the Dublin track.
The fillies Galistic and Baby Blue Eyes gained valuable black type victories for Flynn in 2007 with Listed wins around Foxrock in the Challenge Stakes and the Hurry Harriet Stakes respectively.
Tonight's Ballycorus Stakes is a Group Three event and looks a good opportunity for Prince Shaun, especially at the seven-furlong trip. It was over this course and distance that the Acclamation gelding won his debut last November and it was at a mile that he followed up in good style on the Dundalk all-weather in April.
In the circumstances it was a surprise to see Flynn drop him to six furlongs for his last start and Prince Shaun did look to be done for toe at a vital stage although running a fine race in defeat.
Back to seven furlongs, and getting weight from the Group Two-winning filly Campfire Glow, he should be a different proposition for Fran Berry who steps in for regular jockey Danny Grant, who is suspended after his Irish 1,000 Guineas ride on Tuscan Evening.
At his best another three-year-old in Great War Eagle would be a danger but ultimately Prince Shaun's biggest threat may come from the older brigade with Summit Surge sure to appreciate fast ground and the British raider Captain Marvelous.
Distance should also be a big influence on the concluding mile-and-a-half maiden where the regally-bred Timari can make it third time lucky for the John Oxx-Michael Kinane team. The son of Dalakhani and the Irish Champion Stakes winner Timarida has run twice at a mile and looked set to win here on the second of them only to get run out of it by a 25 to 1 shocker in Royal Astronomer. Timari has a pedigree that suggests this extra trip should suit.
