A big-money exit and a delayed return - but Dylan Cunha remains optimistic for Royal Ascot

There's always an air of hopeful optimism among the town's training fraternity as we approach Royal Ascot. It is a feeling still shared by Dylan Cunha, even though his plans for the meeting have taken a couple of hits in recent weeks.

First Cunha was forced to abandon plans to bring back his stable star Prague in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes. Instead last year's Joel Stakes winner will be making his return on June 28 in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes, a race switched from our own July course to York.

"Prague has taken his time this year, but there’s no rush," said the South African trainer. "We plan to start him back over seven furlongs in the Criterion. The switch to York means more diesel for us but hopefully it will be worth it!”