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Preview
07 June 2008
Prince of
Wales Stakes 3.45 Ascot Wednesday
Since the upgrade of this race to Group 1
status in 2000 the winner has not only proven themselves up to
winning at the top level, but they have also held their form in many
top races.
2007 Manduro 1 Group 1 win, 5 Group 1
places
2006 Ouija Board 4 Group 1 wins, 4 Group
1 places
2005 Azamour 2 Group 1 wins, 3 Group 1
places
2004 Rakti 3 Group 1 wins, 2 Group 1
places
2003 Nayef 3 Group 1 wins, 3 Group 1
places
2002 Grandera 1 Group 1 win, 3 Group 1
places
2001 Fantastic Light 3 Group 1 wins, 4
Group 1 places
2000 Dubai Millennium 3 Group 1 wins
When compared to past winners, the likely field
looks absolutely woeful. Only Duke of Marmalade, Literato, Lucarno,
Mount Nelson, Pressing, Sixties Icon and Finsceal Beo are Group 1
winners. Of those only Duke of Marmalade, Literato and Pressing are
10 furlong Group 1 winners, so they are my only 3 possible winners.
Duke of Marmalade gained
his Group 1 successes after a year of near misses last year. He was
no worse than 4th in six Group 1 races last season when
running against the best of his age and also the best older horses.
So far this season, he is 2 from 2, beating subsequent Group 1
winners Saddex and Sageburg at Longchamp, and claiming the scalp of
top filly Finsceal Beo at the Curragh.
Clearly the one to beat, and will undoubtedly go very close, but at
a best priced 7/4, he isn’t for me. Interestingly, the only 7/4
available is with Ladbrokes, who supposedly have the inside line
into Ballydoyle, yet they appear to want to lay him.
Literato built on
a few promising efforts last season when claiming the Champion
Stakes at the end of last season. Joined Godolphin after that and in
2 starts this season he has finished 12th/16 and 6th/6 so I simply
couldn’t back him.
Pressing was a
25/1 shot for this last year and it says everything about the
quality this time around that he is only 8/1. On his final start
last season he claimed his 1st Group 1 success and he ran
well behind Saddex on his return at Capannelle. He travelled with
great fluency in that race and with about 2 furlongs to go you would
imagine he would hack up and he did go well clear only to be caught
close home. Hopefully with that outing under his belt he will ready
for this race and on the form with Saddex he has very little to find
with Duke of Marmalade on his win at Longchamp. However, it is
important to be wary as Duke of Marmalade looks the type who will
battle and find more so it’s hard to know how much he has left.
Selection(s) –
1 point win Pressing
8/1 William Hill/Totesport
The Oracle
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