Prince of Wales’s Stakes

The second day from Royal Ascot is headlined by the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes. The Aidan O’Brien-trained Love added her name to the roll of honour last year as she justified favouritism to complete her fourth straight victory of the campaign at the highest level following wins in the 1,000 Guineas, Yorkshire Oaks and Epsom Oaks. 

Prince of Wales’s Stakes 2022 Ante-Post Preview

As always this prestigious prize, which is one of the richest races of the entire week, has never failed to provide an engaging spectacle and this year’s renewal looks another belter. Last year’s impressive Derby winner Adayar heads the market at a best price 3/1 and while Charlie Appleby’s charge will miss his intended seasonal appearance in the Coronation Cup due to a minor setback that he initially suffered, he will instead make his return at Royal Ascot. 

The four-year-old son of Frankel didn’t win his two trial races prior to returning an emphatic winner of the Epsom Derby at a big price and backed that up with victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes when seeing off a high-class field that featured the likes of Love and Mishriff. 

He was then a respectable fourth in the Qatar Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe and while he could only muster fifth on his final start of the campaign in the Qipco Champion Stakes, he was probably burnt out for the season as that was his sixth start in just six months. 

While he will be conceding fitness to most of his rivals, he is the most likely winner as he’s the highest-rated horse in the field at 127 and there is no doubt his trainer will have him ready to fire here. He could be a spot of value for some given what he achieved last season.

John and Thady Gosden could be responsible for three runners in the shape of Lord North, Mishriff and Mostahdaf. All would have outstanding claims if bringing their best form to the table. 

Last year’s winner, Lord North, who’s available at 8/1, could only manage fourth in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last time but this multiple Group 1 winner bolted up in this 12 months ago by over three lengths and has to be feared if able to produce a similar display. 

He’s got a good turn of foot, will be suited to conditions if the rain stays away and is likely to have been trained for the race again so can’t be dismissed at odds that seem generous as he wasn’t seen to best effect in Ireland last time which can definitely be excused. 

Stablemate Mishriff, available with firms at a general 5/1 (best 6/1), is yet to win at Ascot in three attempts and was disappointing in this year's Saudi Cup when last of 14 but he’s been given plenty of time to get over his latest trip abroad which can only be seen as a positive. 

This three-times Group 1 winner did come close here last season when a fairing an excellent second to Adayar in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes last July. That is the only time he has competed at Ascot on fast ground and if conditions end up being similar he should be competitive. 

However, Mostahdaf, best price 6/1, is the most exciting of the trio though, whose only defeat of his career came in the St James’s Palace Stakes when reported to have had a throat infection soon after the race. He’s won all three starts since and made a successful return over this course and distance on seasonal debut when claiming the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes by over two lengths. 

With a career record of five wins from five starts when racing over a trip of a mile or further then he looks sure to be suited to the extra yardage in this contest. He’s rated 118 and should have more to come so the market may have underestimated his credentials. 

William Haggas could deploy both the battle-hardened Addeybb and Dubai Honour with preference for the latter unless the ground becomes soft when former would have to merit consideration. 

Dubai Honour, available to back at 14/1, was below his best when down the field in the Dubai Sheema Classic but was narrowly denied in the Qipco Champion Stakes here last season before a solid fourth in the Longines Hong Kong Cup next time. He’s a very nice horse, who likes to be produced late and could easily sneak into the frame at a good price, especially being the second highest-rated runner in the field which will count for plenty. 

Prince Of Wales’s Stakes 2022 Ante-Post Tips

Two-time Japanese Group One winner, SHAHRYAR (best price 7/2) could be prepared to travel overseas and be supplemented for the race by trainer Hideaki Fujiwara. It’s surprising to note that for all the success they have arrayed across the world, Japan has yet to have a single winner at the Royal Meeting. That could all change this time round though with the Dubai Sheema Classic winner, who must have an excellent chance with some high-quality form in his catalogue. 

This son of the mighty Deep Impact defeated Breeders' Cup Turf winner Yibir in the Sheema Classic and is likely to be ridden by the classy Cristian Demuro. He is a winner of four of his six starts, including twice at the highest level and is open to further improvement. 

Some were quick to criticise the rides on both Pyledriver and Yibir that day who were fourth and second respectively but, even so, the selection’s winning performance can be markedly uplifted, considering he raced keenly throughout the race in what turned out to be a strongly-run affair. 

He had every right to fold in the closing stages given the energy he had wasted for most of the journey but, to his credit, he stayed on strongly to score by a neck and while this will undeniably be his stiffest examination to date, I can envisage the two-furlong drop in distance suiting him very well as he’s predominantly been fast away from the stalls and has loads of natural pace. That should allow him to get into a decent early position and track the pacesetters. 

For a horse who’s been able to hit an RPR of 122 twice in just six career starts, Shahryar is clearly a top-class middle distance horse and he might just be able to rate a bit higher here. This is, of course, going to be another stellar renewal but he makes plenty of appeal at the forecast odds and could easily pose the biggest threat to the Derby winner in my view. Therefore, he earns the vote to hopefully give Japan something to cheer about and get his head in front.