An excellent Prince of Wales’s Stakes, if perhaps not quite so much in the actuality as in the anticipation. All bar the pacemaking Continuous had shown high-class or very smart form recently or a bit further back, and most of them ran some sort of a race. However, it was run at a notably strong pace for the good-to-firm conditions, and that took its toll on a few late in the day faced by an uphill finish, something which happens more than occasionally at Ascot and which suggests a literal collateral view of the form may not be wise.

The held-up Ombudsman was a little quicker than par with a 23.89s (102.3% finishing speed) last 2f, but those behind the first 2 all came back at below 99%.

OMBUDSMAN (124+1 here, 120 previously) rewarded his trainers’ patient approaches (this was just the colt’s 6^th start ever) with a high-class effort whatever the whys and wherefores of how things unfolded, paying a compliment in the process to the only horse to beat him, 120-rated Almaqam at Sandown the time before. He was dropped out off the strong pace, made headway over 2f out but ran into traffic a couple of times before switched and producing a strong run to lead with about 140y to go, running on well as others wilted. Things may have teed up perfectly for him here – bar the brief trouble he encountered – but his connections have the resources to try to ensure something similar happens in future should they wish.

ANMAAT (120+1 here, 121 previously) ran in similar style to the Curragh, losing a race that he looked like he might well win (went odds on in running), but there is probably nothing wrong with his attitude and he should win another big one in a race where his pace is rewarded more. He travelled well in rear before making smooth headway wide, shaken up to lead over 1f out and briefly a length or 2 up, but ridden and headed in the final 1f by one who was played later.

SEE THE FIRE (112 here, 117 previously) ran respectably back in this higher grade, not getting the best of runs at one juncture but essentially not quite good enough. She was held up mid to rear before moving closer after halfway, switched back to the rail as things got tight 2f out and briefly with every chance, one paced late on. There should be plenty of opportunities for her at 9f/10f this summer.

MAP OF STARS (112 here, 119 previously) ran just respectably on ground firmer than he had encountered previously, in rear and not going all that well but improving round the outside early in the straight then rather petering out late on. He is not quite out of the top drawer but ought to find another good race, especially back on home ground.

LOS ANGELES (110+ here, 122 previously) should be forgiven this rare modest effort, as he raced closer than ideal to the strong pace set by his stable-companion and paid for it after leading briefly 2f out. He showed high-class form when beating Anmaat at the Curragh the time before, but that was at an extended 10f and on ground that had some ease in it, and he promises to be more at home back at 12f hereafter.

FACTEUR CHEVAL (107+ here, 120? previously) shaped quite well under an overly-aggressive ride at a trip that taxes his stamina, even on ground like this, and is worth entertaining next time for all that he probably needs finessing (very unlikely to have the same jockey on given the critical remarks of the trainer). He travelled sweetly in 4^th at the head of the main body though a few lengths back from the strong pace, made smooth headway to lead 2f out but was almost immediately headed, edged right and emptied.

ROYAL CHAMPION (107 here, 113 previously) ran as well as could be expected given the scale of the task facing him and that he raced more prominently than most, in 3^rd before briefly disputing the lead approaching 2f out then no extra.

CONTINUOUS (0 here, 109 previously)