20 June 2023 , 19:09
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The Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (4.20) is definitely one of the races of the week, even without last year’s Derby winner Desert Crown.
Adayar, the 2021 Derby victor, Luxembourg and Bay Bridge are all Group 1 winners who are in the mix, but I’m taking My Prospero hit the big time. William Haggas’s colt was a late starter and I think he was still a slow burner when he was beaten in two Group 1 races at Ascot - the St James’s Palace Stakes and the Champion Stakes - last year.
When he returned in the one-mile Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, it looked at one point as though he was going to fall out the back of the TV - but then he stayed on powerfully into fourth. The way he came home really caught my eye and I can see him landing a Group 1 prize now that he’s back over another two furlongs.
The Royal Hunt Cup (5.00) is a ‘draw’ race over the straight mile, and sometimes the advantage can switch from one side to another.
I’m hoping the stands’ side is the place to be, because Intellogent can definitely give James Doyle - the pair were second at 40-1 in 2022 - a good spin if stall 31 is the right place to be.
Oisin Murphy secures ride in £1.25 million race on return from 14-month ban
Joseph O’Brien’s horses are flying and I like the chances of Yerwanthere in the Kensington Palace Fillies’ Handicap (3.05). It’s to imagine a horse getting a worse run than Yerwanthere got in a Listed race at Naas last time and she looks well treated.
Paddington races to Aidan O'Brien's 83rd Royal Ascot victory on day one (Dave Shopland/REX/Shutterstock)And finally, get ready to cover your eyes!
Luke Harvey makes Jumbly one of his bets of the week in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (3.40). Luke is never afraid to take a view and he says he’ll run round the track naked if Jumbly doesn’t come home in front.
Let’s hope she does - Luke in the altogether is a sight nobody wants to see!