Closer to home and ready to rock after Hardwicke heartache

Highland Reel has needed his passport and suitcase more than any other resident in Ballydoyle having visited Longchamp, Chantilly, Arlington, Moonee Valley, Sha Tin twice and Meydan since May last year, so the journey to Ascot today will feel like a cakewalk.

The race itself will certainly not be a cakewalk, though, as he renews rivalry with Dartmouth, who was a head in front of him in the Hardwicke when the two met at Royal Ascot last month.

But that was Highland Reel's first outing since disappointing in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin in April, and Aidan O'Brien admitted he had one eye on today's showpiece heading into the Hardwicke.