Fine Form
Few races at Royal Ascot this week pack as much punch as the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and
Almaqam RA – 4.20
is the one taken to land the knockout blow against a couple of heavyweight rivals.
The odds suggest Ed Walker’s five-year-old has it all to do to lower the colours of brilliant Arc winner Daryz and the prolific Ombudsman, winner of the Royal meeting’s day two feature 12 months ago.
But there are reasons to believe that not only is Almaqam a long-term project just coming to the boil, but that there could be a chink or two in the armour of the big two in the betting.
Walker’s horse gained a deserved first Group One victory in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last month, with his performance in keeping subsequent wide-margin Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller comfortably at arm’s length a career best.
In two meetings with Ombudsman the score is level and on the evidence of Almaqam’s Irish success and Ombudsman’s workmanlike reappearance against Gethin at Sandown, it is possible Walker’s horse has made the greater progress from four to five.
Daryz is an obvious concern following two impressive Group One wins this spring, but Francis-Henri Graffard’s colt may be better on an easier surface and the one time he has travelled outside France on quick ground – for York’s Juddmonte International last August – he flopped.
Wathnan Racing have had a fine time of it with their two-year-olds so far this season and few have been more impressive than Wild Blossom, who can follow up a striking Carlisle debut with victory in the opening Queen Mary Stakes.
The Karl Burke-trained filly displayed a dazzling turn of foot up Carlisle’s stiff finish and that raw speed could see her edge a strong field here.
The application of cheekpieces may help Johnny Murtagh’s
Asakir RA – 3.05
turn the tables on his recent Navan conqueror Limestone in the Queen’s Vase.
There was little over a length between the pair at Listed level a month ago and with the extra furlong sure to suit Asakir, he looks the value call.
Catalina Delcarpio RA – 3.40
was third as favourite for the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot 2025 and having impressed back over a mile in the Amethyst Stakes last month, she could well go a couple of places better on her return to Berkshire for the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.
Cambridgeshire runner-up Indalo looks to have sound claims in the Royal Hunt Cup after an eyecatching comeback at Newbury behind
Classic RA – 5.00
but at the odds it is worth backing the Richard Hannon-trained winner to edge their battle again.
Classic landed that contest by a neck despite Pat Dobbs having to wait an age for a clear passage before quickening up close home. Indalo, who admittedly should come on for the run, had sight of the line all the way through.
At the line it looked like the Richard Hannon-trained six-year-old had a bit in hand and on just 1lb worse terms, he could confirm his superiority, particularly as he seems to thrive in the hurly-burly of a crowded field.
William Haggas has been dynamite in big handicaps this season and with his string in hot form, his
Alobayyah RA – 5.35
looks to be on a nice mark for the Kensington Palace Stakes.
She got going late behind Radiant Beauty over course and distance last time, finishing just under three lengths down in third on what was only her fourth start.
With obvious improvement to come, she could be the answer to a tricky puzzle.
Sergei Diaghilev RA – 6.10
named after the founder of the Russian Ballet, can lead his rivals a merry dance in the Windsor Castle Stakes given he is almost certain to progress from his maiden at the Curragh in May, where he beat two subsequent winners.
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