Just the solitary Group I race on Wednesday at Royal Ascot, offering last year's champion three year old the chance to restore his reputation. Taking up the reins again is David Haddrell, @davidhaddrell, who appears courtesy of Star Sports.
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Prince of Wales Stakes
Wednesday's feature race is the Prince of Wales Stakes run over 1m2f. This has seen some exciting finishes over the years with some varied winners and this year sees a real mix of runners representing different form. As usual, I'll skip through the field one by one....
1. Afsare - Not seen since just getting touched off in the Arlington Million last summer. He has his ideal conditions regarding the trip and ground but he's still only won a listed race so pitching him in at the top level on his first run of the year looks ambitious.
2. Al Kazeem - Roger Charlton's colt has proven a revelation in his last three runs, finally winning at the highest level when beating Camelot fair and square in his own back yard last time out at the Curragh. That form is the best on show here and he had hinted at being upto winning races like this before and with Frankel gone and Cirrus Des Aigles missing this, he has his chance to cement his place at the top of the tree for older middle distance horses. A worthy favourite.
3. Camelot - Last year's Derby winner has only won a farcical Irish group three since and the three year olds of last year looked a very moderate bunch. He has long been highly thought of at home but one wonders if that faith might be somewhat blinkered and I see no reason whatsoever why he will reverse the form with the favourite here.
4, Maxios - Won 7 of 15 races in France, finally landing a group one at Longchamp last month in soft ground. That's his best performance to date but that was a weak Group One, only beating Planteur 1/2L who would be a much bigger price for this. I always respect French raiders as I think they can be regularly underbet but I don't think this is the case here as his form overall is a bit off the principals in this race.
5. Miblish - Has a great record on the all-weather, winning a listed race well earlier this year at Kempton but has a hell of a lot on his plate here and was beat fair and square last time out behind Mukhadram.
6. Mukhadram - A lightly raced four year old and won a weak renewal of the Brigadier Gerard last month having only won a maiden prior to that but ran well in some hot handicaps and the Tercentenary stakes here last year. He's a type that could have more improvement to come and I wouldn't be ruling him out improving to take a hand here at 16/1.
7. Red Cadeaux - An international superstar who's won over £3 million in prizemoney including placing in a Melbourne Cup, a Dubai World Cup and winning in Hong Kong. 1m2f is properly the shortest trip he wants but he ran a massive race over the trip in Dubai and his best form would see him running close in this in my opinion. He would be very danger to dismiss.
8. Saint Baudolino - Ex Andre Fabre colt who had one run in Dubai running a big race behind Hunter's Light, that form is pretty worthless but his French form is a bit more interesting with places in the French Derby and the Grand Prix De Paris. They are top class international events but last years three year olds still have a lot to prove, especially ones from those sort of races and it's also a worry he returns in this after four months off.
9. Side Glance - Ran a decent race in Dubai behind Animal Kingdom and does seem to save his best for Ascot but he's been found out at this level too many times before and arguable that this trip stretches him.
10. Windsor Palace - Pacemaker for Camelot. No chance.
11. The Fugue - Beaten favourite in four races in her classic year but has always looked like a talented filly who could be up to winning an all sex race like this. However, I'd want her to be beating horses like Shareta and Zagora fairly comfortably to justify being 4th favourite for this race and she wouldn't be for me at the prices.
Conclusion
I think Al Kazeem is a good thing here and if he hit the 5/2 mark, I'd probably go into play but as it stands, he is probably just about the right price, I think the four behind him are all a touch on the short side though and there could be a bit of value playing Al Kazeem in forecasts with proven horse Red Cadeaux and the one with the most scope for improving at this level, Mukhadram.
I even think the latter is an EW bet in himself. He won the Brigadier Gerard in a very good time on his reappearance and he looks a late developing sort who has clearly always been though of as an older horse so the fact he comes from a weak age group doesn't worry me because he never competed at the top level because connections have always had one eye on the future. Given beyond the favourite, these lot are exposed or have a lot to find to be real top class horses, Mukhadram could improve enough to get involved.
Advice
Bet Al Kazeem win if he hits 5/2
Bet Mukhadram EW at 16/1
Play Al Kazeem in forecasts with Red Cadeaux and Mukhadram
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Prince of Wales Stakes
Wednesday's feature race is the Prince of Wales Stakes run over 1m2f. This has seen some exciting finishes over the years with some varied winners and this year sees a real mix of runners representing different form. As usual, I'll skip through the field one by one....
1. Afsare - Not seen since just getting touched off in the Arlington Million last summer. He has his ideal conditions regarding the trip and ground but he's still only won a listed race so pitching him in at the top level on his first run of the year looks ambitious.
2. Al Kazeem - Roger Charlton's colt has proven a revelation in his last three runs, finally winning at the highest level when beating Camelot fair and square in his own back yard last time out at the Curragh. That form is the best on show here and he had hinted at being upto winning races like this before and with Frankel gone and Cirrus Des Aigles missing this, he has his chance to cement his place at the top of the tree for older middle distance horses. A worthy favourite.
3. Camelot - Last year's Derby winner has only won a farcical Irish group three since and the three year olds of last year looked a very moderate bunch. He has long been highly thought of at home but one wonders if that faith might be somewhat blinkered and I see no reason whatsoever why he will reverse the form with the favourite here.
4, Maxios - Won 7 of 15 races in France, finally landing a group one at Longchamp last month in soft ground. That's his best performance to date but that was a weak Group One, only beating Planteur 1/2L who would be a much bigger price for this. I always respect French raiders as I think they can be regularly underbet but I don't think this is the case here as his form overall is a bit off the principals in this race.
5. Miblish - Has a great record on the all-weather, winning a listed race well earlier this year at Kempton but has a hell of a lot on his plate here and was beat fair and square last time out behind Mukhadram.
6. Mukhadram - A lightly raced four year old and won a weak renewal of the Brigadier Gerard last month having only won a maiden prior to that but ran well in some hot handicaps and the Tercentenary stakes here last year. He's a type that could have more improvement to come and I wouldn't be ruling him out improving to take a hand here at 16/1.
7. Red Cadeaux - An international superstar who's won over £3 million in prizemoney including placing in a Melbourne Cup, a Dubai World Cup and winning in Hong Kong. 1m2f is properly the shortest trip he wants but he ran a massive race over the trip in Dubai and his best form would see him running close in this in my opinion. He would be very danger to dismiss.
8. Saint Baudolino - Ex Andre Fabre colt who had one run in Dubai running a big race behind Hunter's Light, that form is pretty worthless but his French form is a bit more interesting with places in the French Derby and the Grand Prix De Paris. They are top class international events but last years three year olds still have a lot to prove, especially ones from those sort of races and it's also a worry he returns in this after four months off.
9. Side Glance - Ran a decent race in Dubai behind Animal Kingdom and does seem to save his best for Ascot but he's been found out at this level too many times before and arguable that this trip stretches him.
10. Windsor Palace - Pacemaker for Camelot. No chance.
11. The Fugue - Beaten favourite in four races in her classic year but has always looked like a talented filly who could be up to winning an all sex race like this. However, I'd want her to be beating horses like Shareta and Zagora fairly comfortably to justify being 4th favourite for this race and she wouldn't be for me at the prices.
Conclusion
I think Al Kazeem is a good thing here and if he hit the 5/2 mark, I'd probably go into play but as it stands, he is probably just about the right price, I think the four behind him are all a touch on the short side though and there could be a bit of value playing Al Kazeem in forecasts with proven horse Red Cadeaux and the one with the most scope for improving at this level, Mukhadram.
I even think the latter is an EW bet in himself. He won the Brigadier Gerard in a very good time on his reappearance and he looks a late developing sort who has clearly always been though of as an older horse so the fact he comes from a weak age group doesn't worry me because he never competed at the top level because connections have always had one eye on the future. Given beyond the favourite, these lot are exposed or have a lot to find to be real top class horses, Mukhadram could improve enough to get involved.
Advice
Bet Al Kazeem win if he hits 5/2
Bet Mukhadram EW at 16/1
Play Al Kazeem in forecasts with Red Cadeaux and Mukhadram
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