Royal Ascot - Prince Of Wales's Stakes

Royal Ascot (Day 2, Race 3)

Prince Of Wales´s Stakes (British Champions´ Series) (Group 1) (Class 1) (4yo+) Winner £227,080

Debussy: Made rapid progression last year when landing Arlington Million in US and more than creditable third in Champion Stakes (not  stay in Breeders Cup); Has since been switched to Godolphin though and seems to have lost way; Even so, opposable here.

Jan Vermeer: Never quite realized the potential that his easy Group 1 juvenile / 3yo debut wins suggested, but not at all disgraced in top classic events, performing with credit behind top class French 3 year olds Bekhabad & Planteur when third in Grand Prix De Paris; Badly in need of the run when well behind Workforce on seasonal debut (given a lot to do) and can improve on that here.

Planetur: Was one of best three year olds last season, winning Group 2 before making frame in Prix Du Jockey Club, Grand Prix De Paris & Prix Niel; Not up to the task in Arc/Hong Kong Cup but serious performance when disposing of decent field with contemptuous ease on reappearance and career best when disposing of Sarafina with something to spare latest; Has to be high on shortlist for nation bidding to land 5^th win of recent years in this.

Rewilding: Graduated from Andre Fabre's stable with flying colours when taking Cocked Hat Stakes in great style and ran good race in Derby, as good if not better when easy winner of Great Voltigeur at York; Made amends for St Ledger disappointment in big way when hacking up in Sheema Classic and respected here, although drop in trip a worry at this level.

So You Think: Australian sensation during 2009 and 2010 who won no less than five Group 1's down under, Cox Plate (twice); remarkable effort to finish third in the Melbourne Cup over two miles, giving weight away to all bar one of his rivals as mere 3yo; Confirmed he’d settled in when destroying his field on his Irish debut, scoring by ten lengths in a Group 3 contest and similar story when hacking up in uncompetitive Tatts Gold Cup last time out; This far harder but expected to prove up to standard.

Sri Putra: Very talented and fairly very lightly raced colt who has an excellent level of form/consistency; Excelled himself when a fast closing second in the Eclipse, but bare for of that effort flattered him based on his next 2 seconds & well beaten on last two forays in Group 1 company.

Twice Over: As good as ever last year, making up for an unlucky defeat in this last year when winning Eclipse & second Champion Stakes (also third in Juddmonte International); Looked as good again when easy winner of UAE Group 2 & although once again far better than World Cup result, poor effort in Lockinge Stakes latest & that leaves doubts, so despite being respected, others preferred.

VERDICT: The banker & star of the week for many, SO YOU THINK, is not opposed, but we will see what he’s made of today with the top class Planetur and Group 1 winners Rewilding & Twice Over in opposition. Whatever happens, it should be a top class contest.