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15:45 Ascot

Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Class A)

  • 10 Runners
  • Distance: 1m 2f
  • Going: Good to Firm
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 2m 5.30s
  • 10 Ran
Go to Full Result
1
Silk -

Nayef (USA)

5/1

    2
    Silk -

    Rakti

    50/1

      3
      Silk -

      Islington (IRE)

      7/1

        2(11)
        Silk - Royal blue, white epaulets, black cap

        Ekraar (USA)

        11 v
        33/1
        • Form 5234-31
        • Age 6
        • Weight 9-0

        missed break, chased along and joined leaders after 3f, ridden 5f out, weakened 3f out, eased over 1f out

        3(3)
        Silk - Light Blue, Yellow hoop and armlets, Yellow cap, Light Blue diamond

        Falbrav (IRE)

        31
        9/2
        • Form 1301-31
        • Age 5
        • Weight 9-0

        raced keenly behind, outpaced over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out until weakened and eased inside final furlong

        4(8)
        Silk - Royal blue, white cap

        Grandera (IRE)

        81
        4/1
        • Form 5130-14
        • Age 5
        • Weight 9-0

        started slowly, held up behind, headway 3f out to chase leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

        5(5)
        Silk - Black, Red disc, chevrons on sleeves, Black cap, Red spots

        Kaieteur (USA)

        52
        66/1
        • Form 24210-0
        • Age 4
        • Weight 9-0

        held up rear, some moderate late headway, final 2f, never dangerous

        6(7)
        Silk - Royal blue

        Moon Ballad (IRE)

        81
        2/1
        • Form 1312-11
        • Age 4
        • Weight 9-0

        led and set steady pace, quickened over 3f out, headed just over 2f out, gradually weakened

        7(6)
        Silk - Royal Blue, White epaulets, striped cap

        Nayef (USA)

        81
        5/1
        • Form 13421-3
        • Age 5
        • Weight 9-0

        held up 5th, chased leader over 3f out, led just over 2f out, quickened and drew clear inside final furlong, pushed out

        8(2)
        Silk - Maroon, grey epaulets

        Olden Times

        32
        33/1
        • Form 344/3-13
        • Age 5
        • Weight 9-0

        held up 6th, headway wide and bumped well over 2f out, stayed on final furlong but not a danger

        9(1)
        Silk - White, Blue stripe, White sleeves, Blue And White armlets, Blue cap

        Paolini (GER)

        52 b
        25/1
        • Form 0662-23
        • Age 6
        • Weight 9-0

        steady start, took keen hold in rear, headway wide well over 2f out, soon hard ridden and no headway.

        10(9)
        Silk - Emerald Green, White sash with Yellow piping, Emerald Green and Yellow check sleeves, White cap with Pom Pom

        Rakti

        38
        50/1
        • Form 11630-1
        • Age 4
        • Weight 9-0

        pulled hard, kept leader, chased leaders after 3f, headway to chase winners 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, always held

        11(10)
        Silk - Pale Blue, White and Yellow check cap

        Islington (IRE)

        235
        7/1
        • Form 101153-
        • Age 4
        • Weight 8-11

        held up 4th, chased leaders and switched left 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong

        1(4)
        NR

        Chancellor (IRE)

        24
        • Form 1550-46
        • Age 5
        • Weight 9-0

        Nonrunner

        Previous results

        2002
        (3)
        Silk -

        Grandera (IRE)

        4/1
        • Age 4
        • Weight 9-0

        2001
        (8)
        Silk -

        Fantastic Light (USA)

        100/30
        • Age 5
        • Weight 9-0

        2000
        (7)
        Silk -

        Dubai Millennium

        5/4
        • Weight 9-0

        In depth

        Verdict

        One of the highlights of the meeting with last year's winner Grandera attempting to follow up and he, along with the only filly in the field Islington and stablemate Moon Ballad, look the ones to concentrate on with the last mentioned getting the nod. The selection had only the one outing as a juvenile, a race he subsequently lost in the stewards room, but when he came back last year he quickly made up into a high-class colt beating subsequent St Leger winner Bollin Eric and King Edward VII victor Balakheri in the Dante Stakes. He then took in the Vodafone Derby, where he cut out much of the running, before failing to stay the trip at Epsom. Still there was no disgrace in finishing third behind High Chaparral and Hawk Wing. He ended last year with probably his best effort when chasing Storming Home in the Champion Stakes a performance that prompted connections to say, "He would make a better four-year-old". That statement was backed up when he demolished a high-class field in the Dubai World Cup, with the likes of Grandera and Nayef trailing in his wake. The son of Singspiel will have his optimum conditions here (10 furlongs on fast ground) and it would be a surprise if does not continue his winning ways. The main threat may come from the only filly in the field Islington, herself no slouch as she showed when beaten about a length in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and less than two lengths in the Breeders' Cup Fillies and Mare Turf, after not having the best of luck in running. It is interesting that connections have kept her in training as a four-year-old and she is worthy of plenty of respect. Grandera is sure to make a bold bid to retain his crown, but he does have something to find with the selection, as does Nayef on their running in the Dubai World Cup. However, back on turf, neither can be dismissed lightly. Olden Times does not look as good as he was and the likes of Ekraar and Falbrav will need to turn in a personal best if they are to take a hand in the finish, while Rakti, seven times a winner in Italy, faces his stiffest task to date and shouldn't be good enough. Kaieteur and Paolini look out of their depth.