Royal Ascot day two – All eyes on Japan

Another for O’Brien and Moore?

Day one of Royal Ascot proved the absence of crowds will not deter from brilliance on the track – and day two looks equally as thrilling with the Prince of Wales’s Stakes the feature event.

The Group One contest stands head and shoulders above the supporting card, which has admittedly been slightly diminished by the switching around of the schedule as racing looks to right the ship after losing the first couple of months of the season.

That said, the Prince of Wales’s has drawn a quality field of nine, with Aidan O’Brien’s very smart Japan facing off against the likes of Barney Roy, Headman and globetrotter Addeybb.

Throw in some ultra-competitive handicaps and the first two-year-old event of the week and there is more than enough to keep the fires burning ahead of the final three days.

Big on Japan

Japan (near side) was a narrow winner of the Juddmonte International last year
Japan (near side) was a narrow winner of the Juddmonte International last year (Nigel French/PA)

All eyes will be on Japan, winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at this meeting last year before going on to dual Group One glory in France and in the Juddmonte International, when he just edged out the admirable Crystal Ocean. He is set to go off at skinny odds in the middle-distance feature and the yard hit the Group One mark with Circus Maximus on day one. His full-brother Mogul was beaten, though, so hopefully for his supporters that is not an omen.

Doyle to deliver?

Hollie Doyle and Mighty Gurka were clear-cut winners at Lingfield
Hollie Doyle and Mighty Gurka were clear-cut winners at Lingfield (Mark Cranham/PA)

Just two female riders – Gay Kelleway and Hayley Turner – have struck gold at the Royal meeting in its long history, but Hollie Doyle looks to have a fine chance of adding her name to that illustrious group with runaway Lingfield winner Mighty Gurkha in the Windsor Castle Stakes. That said, this looks a cracking heat and Wesley Wards has his first two runners, not to mention O’Brien’s Chief Little Hawk.

Doubly difficult

Afaak tries to follow up in the Hunt Cup
Afaak tries to follow up in the Hunt Cup (Mike Egerton/PA)

As if one Royal Hunt Cup was not difficult enough for punters to decode, this year’s meeting boasts a Silver Hunt Cup to give those who missed the cut for the main event an extra opportunity. It is laudable how hard all parties have worked following the shutdown to afford horses the chance to run, but after two mile cavalry charges, punters might not be quite so grateful!

Crowley on the Hunt

Jim Crowley was the man in form on day one
Jim Crowley was the man in form on day one (Alan Crowhurst)

Jim Crowley was on fire on day one, with three winners highlighted by Battaash in the King’s Stand Stakes. He does not have a ride in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, but he has four live chances nevertheless, including Alraaja who will be going for a fifth win on the bounce in the Hunt Cup. Can he keep up his run of form on the second day of action?

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