Ascot racecourse renamed today’s feature the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (16h40) in honour of the late monarch.
The Group 1 contest, run over the straight 6-furlongs, has attracted 15 runners with horses raiding from Australia, Hong Kong, and France.
Track conditions on Day 5 of the royal meeting are forecast to remain good to firm.
Third in last year’s race, the Aussie star Artorius is back for another crack at glory after a narrow three-quarters of a length defeat to Naval Crown. James McDonald takes the ride on the 4-year-old after his two seasonal starts in March down under. Priced up as the 7/2 favourite, he must be considered from a fair draw of eight.
Hong Kong is also represented with the Richard Gibson trained Wellington. A 12-time winner at the Sha Tin racecourse, the six-year-old gelding get the services of Ryan Moore.
Hong Kong challenger Wellington could be right in the mix today (Pic-HKJC)
He is drawn 15, on the stands side, alongside the top-class mare Highfield Princess with Jason Hart riding. She finished second in the King’s Stand on Tuesday, narrowly beaten by Bradsell in a controversial finish. The extra furlong should suit, but the four-day break and widest draw of 16 are of concern.
Course and distance winners Rohaan and Kinross are also very much in the mix, and the latter is selected from draw 1 with Dettori in the saddle.
The Ralph Beckett trained runner is joint top-rated on official ratings, has a favourable draw and is currently quoted at 7/1.
The supporting feature is the Gr2 Hardwicke Stakes (17h20). A field of 8 line-up at the mile and a half start with the Shadwell owned Hukum favourite. The 6-year-old won the Brigadier Gerard over 10-furlongs at Sandown last month when overhauling Derby hero Desert Crown close home.
That was his first run after a year layoff, and his opposition include the star mare Free Wind for connections Gosden and Dettori. A winner of 6 of her 7 starts over ground, the Galileo mare could be hard to catch under the Italian maestro off bottom weight in what looks to be a tactical affair.
