Preview: Gr.1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes

Japanese Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic winner, Shahryar seems to be the one to beat. Hideaki Fujiwara’s son proved his mettle in his last start and is certain to stay the 10-furlong distance.

John and Thady Gosden-trained Lord North, a dual Gr.1 Dubai Turf winner who took this race two years ago, represents, while in-form Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien relies on State Of Rest, winner of three top-level races including the Prix Ganay. He was a place in front of Lord North in the Tattersalls Gold Cup when third to Alenquer at the Curragh.

Adding to the international flavour is Grand Glory, who landed the Group One Prix Jean Romanet for Italian trainer Gianluca Bietolini last August, although notable omissions include the William Haggas pair Dubai Honour and Addeybb, and Aidan O’Brien’s Broome.

Stoute, successful in the Derby with Desert Crown only nine days ago, is bidding for a third win here in five years following success with Poet’s Word (2018) and Crystal Ocean(2019).

He told QIPCO British Champions Series: “He (Bay Bridge) showed promise from the first time he won and he’s continued to progress. He seems in fine shape and I don’t think fast ground will be a problem. It’s going to be a fascinating race and we are looking forward to it.”

Lord North was highly impressive in a behind-closed-doors Prince Of Wales’s two years ago but missed Royal Ascot and much of the rest of last year with a serious throat infection. He returned to close to his best with a second win in Meydan’s Dubai Turf, and co-trainer John Gosden believes last month’s Tattersalls Gold Cup fourth - a place behind State Of Rest - can be marked up.

Gosden explained: “I think that he raced a bit too close to the strong pace at the Curragh and the one mile and two and a half furlongs there just stretched him a bit. At that pace the Curragh just tapped his reserves of stamina. He was in a good spot with a furlong to go, but that last furlong was an eternity.

“He’s a grand horse, but he needs to be ridden a little differently to Ireland. He’ll be happier back at Ascot, where he won the Prince of Wales’s two years ago, but he’s not a young horse anymore, although he still enjoys his racing. It’s a very high-class race, as it should be. The Japanese horse Shahryar can go a bit, and Bay Bridge has always been a lovely horse. It’s a fabulous race and I like Bay Bridge. He went past them like they were standing still at Sandown.”