Nick Luck’s blog: Going for Glory in the Prince Of Wales’s   

There’s no let up as we’re onwards and upward into day two of the Royal meeting, the second day is headlined with the fascinating Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and I think there may be an upset on the cards.  

Read on for Nick’s thoughts on all seven races from the second day.

LOVE REIGNS can take the Queen Mary at 3/1 to enhance Wesley Ward’s already outstanding record in the race (2.30pm). While her Keeneland form is untested, it is not completely unquantifiable as a well related stablemate was thumped nine lengths in second with a highly regarded filly from a good barn in third. If she copes with the preliminaries, she should be tough to beat. Olivia Maralda might outrun her odds to fare best of the Amo owned group.

PERFECT ALIBI can run a bold race at 10/1 in the Royal silks in the Queen’s Vase (3.05pm). Although she is only the winner of a maiden, it was a ridiculously strong race of its type, with the beaten-on-the-square second and third already having shown more than useful form, the latter in stakes company. The selection was ultra-game, comes from a family that includes Ascot winners and should relish a step up in distance on pedigree.

GRAND GLORY might be one for the upset at 8/1 in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (3.40pm). Although Bay Bridge was wildly impressive at Sandown, this will be the fastest ground he’s raced on and I can watch him win at skinny odds. Shahryar is very good also, but is arguably racing shy of his optimum distance, while State of Rest is admirable but doesn’t set an insurmountable standard. Lord North has a turn of foot but was rather tame last time. By contrast, the selection is improving sharply this year, having shown a really smart burst of pace on both starts after finishing only a length behind Shahryar on firm ground in the Japan Cup. With the chunky mares’ allowance, she’s a danger to all.

SIBILA SPAIN can make it a fine afternoon for French trained fillies at 13/2 in the Duke of Cambridge (4.20pm). Her form as it stands only leaves her with a couple of pounds to find against the market leaders, but there are reasons to think she can post a career best. First she’s lightly raced and improving. Secondly, all her best form has come when the ground hasn’t been too soft (as befits pedigree). Lastly, she’s a stayer at this trip who is often unsuited by tactical French races and who should love this stiff straight mile.

LEGEND OF DUBAI and INTELLOGENT will both be taking some of my money at 11/1 and 18/1 respectively in the Hunt Cup (5.00pm). I don’t think this is the strongest running of this race, but Legend of Dubai is one of only a couple that could be way ahead of his mark and looked to have finally got it all together on his comeback. Intellogent has really thrived for a change of scenery and ran a solid race here in better company last time – a really well run race will suit and he’ll be finishing off strongly.

FAR SHOT can win at 7/1 in the Windsor Castle (5.35pm). John Gosden’s training of speedy Ascot two-year-olds is fascinating – Newfangled, Calyx and Ardad all made their winning racecourse debuts as late as you could dare (8/9 June) before performing a smash and grab at this meeting. Far Shot – bred on very similar lines to Ardad – debuted in the very same Yarmouth race, for which he was odds-on. His pedigree strongly suggests that better ground will suit and he beat a promising rival that day in any case. Dettori rides and he should be in the mix.

HAZIYA can take the finale at 11/2 – the Kensington Palace Stakes (6.10pm). This is a race that should be quite draw-affected if last year’s inaugural running is any kind of guide with a big field of varying ability on the round mile. The selection is perfectly berthed to get good, ground saving track position here and comes here off the back of a really creditable run in a very competitive race.