Form profile

Victory in last summer’s International Handicap at Ascot shows what a talented handicapper the 6yo is when conditions are in his favour. However, he returns to the Berkshire track 5lb higher but hasn’t rediscovered his best form in three starts this term.

Trainer says

He’s a 7f specialist so the Buckingham Palace Stakes and the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket in July are on his agenda. He loves Ascot and will hopeful get the ease in the ground that he thrives on.

Form profile

Winner of the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh for Michael O’Callaghan last year, he ran his best race of the season in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last month, finishing third (albeit beaten 11 lengths) to White Birch for new trainer Adrian Murray.

Trainer says

He’s in the Listed Wolferton Stakes and the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes so options are open. We were happy with his run in Group 1 company at the Curragh but have the option to step him up in trip. The ground may be a deciding factor as he likes some give.

Form profile

This big, scopey son of Arrogate is bred to appreciate the dirt and lived right up to his US pedigree when landing the Easter Classic on All-Weather Finals Day. He wasn’t disgraced on his turf debut in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last month, finishing fourth in unsuitable ground, and remains a colt of considerable potential.

Trainer says

We may run him on dirt at some stage but for now we plan to step him up in trip in the Hardwicke. His trainer Adrian Murray was happy with him at the Curragh. He travelled well to a point and David Egan didn’t give him a hard race once the front two had got away from him.

Form profile

She hasn’t yet revisited the heights of her Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes success at Goodwood last year, when trained by Richard Hannon, but is versatile trip-wise. She found the task too hot when reverting to sprinting in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh last month but has the option to step back up to 1m.

Trainer says

She’s in the Duke Of Cambridge over 1m and the Wokingham, which is over 6f. She’s a Group winner already but obviously will need to step up on this year’s efforts if she runs in the Group 2. She’s down to 100 now so the handicap could be a consideration as she’s unexposed in that grade.

Form profile

Dominic Ffrench Davis sprung a 33-1 surprise when this gelding won the Lincoln at Doncaster in March for new retained rider David Egan. He couldn’t make the same impact in a heritage handicap at Newmarket’s Guineas Festival but promises to be well suited by Ascot.

Trainer says

He’s done most of his winning in soft ground but is versatile in that respect and has proven he enjoys the cut and thrust of big field handicaps so we’re hopeful he can go well in the Royal Hunt Cup. He’s fresh and well.

Form profile

George Boughey’s 6yo has been a reliable talisman for Amo Racing, winning five races including the Irish Lincolnshire and the Silver Bowl Handicap at Haydock. He made an encouraging start to the new campaign in the Curragh renewal in March but has failed to run up to that level in two races since.

Trainer says

He’s a solid horse as his rating of 103 proves but he’s stuck between being a handicapper or a Group horse. He needs the cards to fall right for him but is capable of getting involved in the Royal Hunt Cup, particularly if it comes up soft.

Form profile

Despite an eight-month lay-off, this classy colt made virtually all the running to win a Group 3 at Naas last month. He’s already a Group 1 winner, having beaten 1000 Guineas runner-up Porta Fortuna in the Phoenix Stakes. He’s familiar with the demands of Royal Ascot, too, after finishing third in the Coventry before landing the Group 2 Railway Stakes.

Trainer says

He goes to the Commonwealth Cup with excellent credentials. Adrian couldn’t be happier with him after his comeback win at Naas and he deserves to be among the leading fancies for the race. He’s one of our best chances of the week.

Form profile

A speedy filly, she did well for Alice Haynes last year before switching to Adrian Murray in Ireland at the end of the season. She ran respectably in Listed company on her new stable debut and improved on that to be second in a big field handicap over 5f at the Curragh earlier this month.

Trainer says

She’s definitely trained on and has been in good form at home. She’s always been very speedy and the stiff 5f at Ascot in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes looks the ideal race for her.

Form profile

Lightly raced and open to improvement, this son of Golden Horn posted two encouraging performances in handicaps in the spring, giving every indication he is ready for a greater test of stamina when second over 10f at Newbury on his latest start.

Trainer says

We have options with him but the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes is our preferred one. Ralph’s been very happy with him since Newbury. He’s up 4lb which helps and we’re looking forward to stepping him up in trip now.

Form profile

Last year’s shock 150-1 Norfolk Stakes winner almost ended the year with a Breeders Cup victory on his CV, but for finding Big Evs just too good in the Juvenile Turf Sprint. After a brief spell Stateside, he joined Adrian Murray in County Westmeath in the spring in readiness for another Royal Ascot assault.

Trainer says

The King Charles III Stakes is the obvious target for him. He just didn’t enjoy the routine of track training in the States but has been much more relaxed since arriving in Ireland. He was our first ever Royal Ascot winner and we go back on Tuesday expecting another big run.

Form profile

The son of Derby hero City Of Troy’s sire Justify was knocked down to Amo Racing for £1 million euros at the Arqana Sales last month. He’s a half-brother to a US mile winner out of a full sister to Guineas winner Churchill.

Trainer says

It’s a big ask taking an un-raced colt to Royal Ascot but he’s been working like a very good horse at home and Dominic (Ffrench Davis) and the team are keen to let him take his chance in the Coventry. Whatever he does, he’ll improve upon.

Form profile

Although she’s bred to stay further, Adrian Murray’s daughter of Mehmas isn’t short of gears but is yet to break her duck. Out of a German Oaks winner, she only just failed to make a winning start over 5f at Dundalk in April before running out of steam in a Group 3 at Naas.

Trainer says

Since her last run she’s been thriving at home. She hasn’t got her head in front yet but she’s done enough in two starts to justify her place and will take her chance in either the Queen Mary or the Albany Stakes.

Form profile

This precocious daughter of Sergei Prokofiev is unbeaten in three starts, progressing from a Wolverhampton maiden in April to win a conditions event on Trials Day at Ascot in May and the Listed National Stakes at Sandown.

Trainer says

She’s got speed to burn but crucially is proven on the track at Ascot after winning on Trials Day. That experience could prove a big advantage in the Queen Mary, though she also has an entry in the Albany Stakes over an extra furlong.

Form profile

Dominic Ffrench Davis’s chestnut colt was sent off a warm favourite on debut at Bath but finished just over five lengths third in a 5.5f maiden. He’s a half-brother to winners up to 1m3f out of a dam who scored Stateside over 9f.

Trainer says

He was far too green to do himself justice at Bath but we feel he’s come on considerably for that experience. His homework has been pleasing and he’ll be aimed at the Windsor Castle Stakes, along with stable companion REPOSADO who went close at Ascot in May and was a good fourth to Enchanting Empress in the National Stakes.