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| Staff Writer |
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Royal Ascot's five-day carnival is attracting a stellar contingent of Dubai Racing Carnival graduates, with form from Meydan Racecourse featuring prominently throughout the programme beginning today.
The opening Queen Anne Stakes sets the tone for eight Group One contests across the week. Cairo, runner-up in December's Gr.2 Al Rashidiya at Meydan, represents trainer Alice Haynes but faces a formidable challenge from Rosallion and three-time American Grade One winner Carl Spackler.
The Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes brings together first and third from April's Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night. Believing returns despite being in foal to Frankel, with trainer George Boughey expressing confidence in his mare's condition.
"It was a huge result in Dubai to get her Group One win," he said. "Her general demeanor and her work had been top class; she's a filly who has always threatened to win a Group One. The flat six (furlongs) at Meydan suited her down to the ground and she got a brilliant ride from William (Buick). She couldn't be in better order. She's been a very different filly this year."
Regional completes the Al Quoz Sprint representation, while Frost At Dawn, victorious in the 2024 Gr.3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint , carries the silks of UAE owner Abdulla Al Mansoori.
Tuesday's Gr.1 St James's Palace Stakes for 3YO colts features Ruling Court, whose trainer Charlie Appleby is targeting another Group One success. The colt captured the Listed Jumeirah Two Thousand Guineas before landing the Gr.1 Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket, where he defeated Field Of Gold, who reopposes here.
"We took Ruling Court out of the Derby due to the (soft) ground, and we can have no excuses with conditions at Ascot," said Appleby. "It's a very good renewal of the race and the track and trip will suit. We are looking at stepping up in trip at some point, but he has done very little wrong over a mile so far."
Wednesday's Prince Of Wales's Stakes Group One over 2000 metres attracts 2024 Gr.1 Dubai Turf winner Facteur Cheval for trainer Jerome Reynier. The 6YO will be partnered by US-based jockey Flavien Prat for the first time.
Certain Lad, successful at the Carnival in 2020, joins the field for trainer Jack Channon, while Aidan O'Brien saddles Continuous, who disappointed in the Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup .
Dual Meydan winner Cinderella's Dream has returned to UK action with a Newmarket victory and heads the Gr.2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes market, while Arabian Light, winner of the Lord Glitters Handicap at the Carnival, tackles the Royal Hunt Cup.
Thursday's Gr.1 Gold Cup, the meeting's official feature, sees Trawlerman return after three Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup campaigns, including a fifth-place finish in April. John and Thady Gosden's gelding seeks to improve on last year's runner-up effort to Kyprios.
The Fingal Raven, second to Ruling Court in the Jumeirah Two Thousand Guineas, represents trainer Jamie Osborne in the Britannia Handicap.
Saturday's Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes Gr.1 over 1200 metres concludes the Group One programme, with Symbol Of Honour seeking to extend his excellent record since returning from Dubai. Winner of both the Al Wasl Stakes and Dubai Trophy at Meydan for Appleby, the gelding has won two of three starts since returning to Britain.
The meeting's penultimate contest, the Golden Gates Stakes, marks a significant milestone for Norway-based trainer Niels Petersen, saddling his first Royal Ascot runner. War Socks finished third to Ruling Court in the Listed Jumeirah Two Thousand Guineas and steps up to 2000 metres for the first time.