The Prince of Wales Stakes- Ascot Day Two

The Prince of Wales Stakes is the centrepiece around the dinner table that is day two on Wednesday, and has an absolute abundance of talent at disposal, and a field that looks a minefield is the race slips into another one of these ridiculous crawl, then sprint tactical affairs.

Aidan O’ Brien has a good record in this race, and has the hot favourite, So You Think, who I did my absolute coconuts on in this last year, when a narrow second to Godolphin’s Rewilding, under a stellar ride from Frankie Dettori, whip bans notwithstanding. Last year he had Jan Vermeer used as a pacemaker, who quite frankly did a shocking job, and this year, Seamie Heffernan does the duties on Robin Hood this time, look after them fractions son. I am still financially and emotionally burnt by that, at a shade of odds on, I have to oppose him.

Carlton House looks an interesting prospect, as we stumble another ante post disaster for me, after finishing third in The Derby, and fourth in The Irish Derby at The Curragh. He had a pleasing reappearance at Sandown in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes and looks to be back on track, despite the lack of form with Sir Michael Stoute.

Godolphin look like a stable in anarchy, too many jockeys, not enough good horses, it seems a bit of a mess at the moment. The horses they inherit from overseas, particularly from Andre Fabre don’t seem to train on, see Mandean this year, and Dubawi Prince and Casamento last year, I can’t have Rumh or City Style.

Looking back through the trends, you have to have class to win this, (go figure eh) which takes out all of the horses who have not won at Group One level. This immediately takes out Wigmore Hall, Sri Putra, Colombian and Big Blue Kitten. Trends aside as well, none look good enough in such a competitive field.

The two French raiders could have live chances if back to their best after both disappointing last time out. Reliable Man was hugely disappointing in the Jockey Club Stakes last month when seventh and never travelling. He won a good French Derby last year, following that up with a Prix Neil win to set up a crack at The Arc, but suffered a setback and missed out. Planteur is a good yardstick, but is often the bridesmaid, and rarely the bride. On his CV he has places in a French Derby, Dubai World Cup and Grand Prix De Paris to his name; questions are still to be asked over his attitude.

As said at the top, I can’t bring myself to follow So You Think off a cliff again, after having my proverbials on him in this last year, The Champion Stakes and The Arc, he is too inconsistent. CARLTON HOUSE looks back down to a more suitable trip and distance, and looks a decent price to lower the colours of the versatile Irish/Australian/New Zealander.

3.45 Ascot – Carlton House
3.45 Ascot – Carlton House/So You Think & Carlton House/Planteur F/C’s.

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
@JJMSports