Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1)

Dual Group 3 winner (2020 and 2024) but, in a long career, he's yet to crack it at higher levels; last five wins were on softer than good and although he went down by just a neck to Anmaat on good to firm at Haydock last August, that rival was returning from a long absence and has twice run much better since; ran creditably (made most) on the first of two races this term but has never shone at this meeting and this is a tough task.

7yo who's won two of his three attempts at Group 1; swooped to overcome trouble in running in the Champion Stakes over C&D (soft) last October and he was travelling much the better when he headed Los Angeles just inside the final 1f in Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (10.5f, officially good) last month, only to lose out in the last ten strides; three of his wins at lower levels were on good to firm; should be primed to throw down a telling late bid.

2023 was his heyday, when winning the St Leger and fifth in the Arc; career has taken some disappointing turns since last autumn and he could be set for a front-running role at a big price today, as on his last two starts.

His last 11 races have been Group 1, winning one at Meydan (1m1f Dubai Turf) in March 2024; less competitive than usual in his three starts this January-April but never-nearer sixth of 11 back in the Dubai Turf last time was respectable; twice runner-up in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over the straight 1m here on soft ground, plus third last year in the Sussex at Goodwood on good to firm, but he needs to show something new if he's to win this, as he's never been beyond 9.5f.

2024 Irish Derby winner and Arc third at 1m4f; four of his last five races have been at about 1m2f, though, notably when a close fourth in Irish Champion last September and when having to pull out all the stops at the Curragh in his two outings this season, all on good ground (acts on good to firm); latest was the 10.5f Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup in which he battled back to deny Anmaat, but it's a protracted struggle rather than a rapier thrust which is likely to see him to best effect and he might just be vulnerable.