Daryz and Ombudsman face off in a sensational renewal of the Prince of Wales' Stakes at Royal Ascot.
A sensational clash sees Arc winner Daryz take on defending champion Ombudsman in a stellar renewal of this Group 1 Prince Of Wales' Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Francis-Henri Graffard's charge Daryz saw off Minnie Hauk to claim the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last season and has oozed class in wining a pair of Group 1 contests this season. Showing more speed than he had at three, he should prove a tough nut to crack if handling these quicker conditions.
Last year's hero Ombudsman is himself a three-time top-level scorer and he made a winning return when outpointing Gethin in the Brigadier Gerard stakes last month. Conceding 7lb, that was an excellent performance, and he tops the list of dangers.
Almaqam broke his Group 1 duck when claiming the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on his last start and warrants respect if able to get first run under Kieran Shoemark.
Triple Oaks winner Minnie Hauk is an each-way price and cannot be discounted in a red-hot affair, despite her inconsistencies of late.
Senorita Bonita and Wild Blossom headline a field of 28 for this opening Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes.
Simon and Ed Crisford's daughter of Starspangledbanner cost a whopping 900,000gns at the Craven Breeze-Ups and made an eye-catching debut when scoring by just a short-head at Nottingham. Caught on the wing, she had plenty of ground to make up and showed a ready change of gear to make a winning start under Oisin Murphy. She could be smart and will be popular to remain unbeaten.
Karl Burke's Wild Blossom was quite the opposite. She sauntered home by a staggering ten lengths at Carlisle and given this trainer landed that same race with Venetian Sun last year, she must be feared.
Others to note include US raider Ruiva and Aidan O'Brien's Victorious, who is unbeaten in two starts and has the services of Ryan Moore - who won this race last year aboard True Love for the Ballydoyle master.
A typically competitive rendition of the Royal Hunt Cup sees Indalo among the market leaders.
Roger Varian's five-year-old caught the eye when second behind Classic at Newbury last month and a 2lb rise seems fair. The stable are operating at a 30 per cent strike rate and will be looking to add to their 14 winners at the Royal meeting.
Classic has a solid profile and having beaten an excellent field at Newbury, he should be in the mix for Richard Hannon and Pat Dobbs.
Harry Eustace's La Botte was a desperately unlucky loser when runner-up in the Britannia last season and he arrives 2lb lower this time round. He has been contesting stakes company and will be better suited to this big-field test.
Last-time winners Jagged Edge and Erzindjan hold each-way claims, along with David Menuisier's Shout.
Limestone and Galiyan look the ones to beat in the 3.05pm Queen's Vase, with the former horse heading to Royal Ascot on the back of three successive victories for Joseph O'Brien. Asakir is also one to note in the colours of the Aga Khan, having not finished outside of the first three in his starts to date.
The uber-consistent Blue Bolt headlines the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes for Andrew Balding and Juddmonte, but will be wary of the threat posed by Friendly Soul - who has every chance if she has recovered from her accident at Haydock.
New Wathnan Racing purchase Stateira tops a field of 25 assembled for the Kensington Palace Stakes, although Alobayyah will be popular for the William Haggas team.
The closing race on the card is the 6.10pm Windsor Castle Stakes, which sees Sergei Diaghilev spearhead the Ballydoyle challenge.
