Architect has two betting selections among the nine runners in a stellar field for the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Prince Of Wales's Stakes
A stellar field of nine runners will head to post for an intriguing renewal of the feature race on Day 2 of Royal Ascot, the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.
Prince Of Wales's Stakes Runner-by-Runner Guide
Los Angeles
Los Angeles has a lot of similarities to stablemate Jan Brueghel given how tough he is in a finish. This three-time Group 1 winner is top-class on his day, as proven last time out, but he was disappointing on his only previous course start, so he does have that to prove.
However, we know he failed to give his true running, and there’s no doubt he will be trained to the minute as he bids to hand Aidan O’Brien back-to-back wins having won it last year with Auguste Rodin. He was better placed than most when landing the Tattersalls Gold Cup last time out though, holding off Anmaat, who lacked a recent run under a great ride by Ryan Moore.
Anmaat
Anmaat was only a half-length behind him and many will feel he has a good chance of turning the tables with fitness assured. He was extremely impressive when landing the Champion Stakes here in October, where he overcame an horrendous passage to win going away from his rivals.
I have not seen many horses do what he did that day, which suggests he is only getting better with age. That win did come on soft ground, but he’s versatile, and should go well.
Map Of Stars
Map Of Stars is an interesting runner for team-France, but he was beaten fair and square by Ombudsman back in September on home soil and the latter had a beautiful pre race for this when runner-up at Sandown in the Brigadier Stakes.
He lost little in defeat when conceding 3lb to the race-fit Almaqam and this has been the plan. Open to a good deal of improvement, there’s a good chance we haven’t seen the best of him yet.
See The Fire
See The Fire finished fifth behind Anmaat in the Champion Stakes here in October and absolutely dotted up in a Group 2 race at York last month. She has improved since going close in last year’s Nassau Stakes but I suspect she will need to pull out more again if she’s to get the better of today’s calibre of opposition.
Ombudsman
The ride of William Buick, who hasn't won the race since 2014. He lost his unbeaten record on his return after nearly nine months in a Group 3 at Sandown.
Facteur Cheval
Facteur Cheval has finished second in two of his three course starts at the highest level, including when only beaten a couple of lengths by Charyn in the QEII and has run well on both outings this year in Meydan. Will this trip stretch his stamina though? If he benefits from it, then he’s wildly overpriced.
Royal Champion
Royal Champion might be a big price, but he will thrive under these conditions and beat a good field at this meeting last year in the Wolferton Stakes.
He was in front of See The Fire when fourth in the Gordon Richards Stakes last time out when was only just behind Almaqam when conceding 3lb to the winner. This is tougher, but he’s a good horse, and could easily outrun his odds.
Certain Lad
Difficult to recommend on recent evidence, so can be left alone.
Continuous
An even bigger outsider than Certain Lad on bookmaker prices - his chances are explained by the fact he can be backed at a biggest 150/1.
Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Tips
ANMAAT (best price 7/2) was so good here in October that even though that win came on soft ground, I feel as though he will beat Los Angeles for a turn of foot with that latest run under his belt when second to him in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
He is a class act and is only getting better with age. He can provide Jim Crowley, Owen Burrows and Shadwell with another top-flight success.
I’m also going to take a chance on ROYAL CHAMPION (best price 66/1) to hopefully exceed market expectations. He is a winner at the Royal Meeting and will relish the track and distance. He remains lightly raced for his age and this nature of this race could really suit.
He isn’t a million miles away on ratings and wasn’t beaten far in that Gordon Richards Stakes when shouldering a penalty. His form ties in closely with Ombudsman on a line through Almaqam, so at double-figure odds, Karl Burke’s charge is by no means a back number in the feature event.
