PRINCE OF WALES'S STAKES:PRINCE KHALID Abdullah's Juddmonte organisation have already enjoyed a bumper 2010 thanks to Workforce's Derby and Special Duty's 1,000 Guineas double, but Byword can serve up a Group One Royal Ascot soufflé in today's Prince of Wales's Stakes.
The prince’s famous green-and-pink colours are also carried in the Day Two highlight by Twice Over, but, while he is a thoroughly exposed Group One operator already, there is the potential for much better yet from Byword.
The son of Peintre Celebre is having just his eighth start this afternoon and comes here on the back of a second in the Prix d’Isphahan to Goldikova that might have been a little flattering but still can’t disguise how far clear he was ahead of the rest.
Coming on the back of a Group Two and a Listed success earlier in the year, that indicated a colt rapidly on the upgrade. And the Andre Fabre-Maxime Guyon combination are hardly out of form either, with Lope De Vega’s classic double back in France.
The French are also represented by the Prix de l’Opera heroine Shalanyaya in a Group One described by Twice Over’s jockey, Tom Queally, as slightly sub-standard. It’s hard to argue with that, as Twice Over was beaten in a multitude of top-flight races before eventually landing last October’s Champion Stakes.
Mawatheeq was unlucky that day when runner-up and is the type to improve, but, in terms of improvement, Byword looks the best option to go with.
Ten Irish horses line up this afternoon and it could be a good start for the visitors, with Free Judgement coming to the Group Three Jersey Stakes on the back of a second to Canford Cliffs in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
Along with Shakespearean, the big Irish hope has to carry a 3lb penalty, but the Curragh Guineas showed how effective Jim Bolger’s colt can be on a fast surface.
Bolger is represented by Purple Glow in the Queen Mary, while the regally-bred Meow runs for David Wachman. Along with Dermot Weld’s Curragh winner Moonlit Garden, they represent a strong Irish team, and there was a lot to like about the professional way Weld’s filly scored on her debut.
Lolly For Dolly disappointed in the Irish Guineas, but on her best form will be fancied to defy topweight in the Sandringham Handicap. Pollenator, though, should be hard to beat.
Juvenile form suggests Emperor Claudius can rule at Fairyhouse
AIDAN O'BRIEN isn't involved at Royal Ascot today but he does have an interesting contender in Emperor Claudius at Fairyhouse this evening, writes BRIAN O'CONNOR
Runner-up in last year’s Chesham Stakes at Ascot, the beautifully bred Emperor Claudius is having his first start as a three- year-old and is rated high enough on juvenile form to land the seven-furlong conditions race.
Jockey Chris Hayes could kick off the meeting in style on both the Dundalk winner Hepburn and Laldie, while Seán Óg Coulston may defy a stone hike in the weights for winning at Down Royal.
John Oxx’s Simkana ran fourth at the Curragh on her sole start and could surprise the Navan runner-up Master Performer in the 10-furlong maiden.
