Nightmare for Godolphin as Queen Mary favourite Chasing Dreams ruled out

Charlie Appleby, who has an enviable hand for Royal Ascot next week, will not be able to rely on once-raced maiden winner Chasing Dreams, who will miss the Queen Mary Stakes through injury.

The Godolphin filly, a 750,000gns purchase at the yearling sales in October, burst onto the scene at Newmarket's Craven meeting when winning as the 4-9 favourite on her debut under William Buick.

After that impressive success, Appleby said: "She's only going to get better so we'll give her a break."

She had been the general 4-1 favourite for the Group 2 Queen Mary, but was found to be lame on Thursday morning so will not run.

"Chasing Dreams, an intended runner in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot next week, was found to be lame this morning and unfortunately will no longer be taking up that engagement," a post on Twitter from Godolphin stated.

The race, which takes place on Wednesday, also recently lost well-regarded US raider Lady Pauline – a half-sister to 2016 winner Lady Aurelia – after she suffered a setback.

In their absence, Godolphin's Ickworth, who is two for two for the red-hot Willie McCreery, and Anna's Fast, a Keeneland winner for Lady Pauline's trainer Wesley Ward, are prominent in the betting for the Queen Mary.

Appleby can take comfort from having Barney Roy, Blue Point, Masar and Cross Counter among others to unleash at the royal meeting.

O'Brien mob-handed in Queen's Vase

Aidan O'Brien could bid to extend his exceptional record in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot on Wednesday with five of the 22 entries, headed by Norway and Western Australia.

Zetland Stakes winner Norway was last seen finishing a creditable eighth in the Derby behind stablemate Anthony Van Dyck and could be destined to step up to a mile and six furlongs for the first time.

Western Australia, who was third to Magna Grecia in the 2018 Vertem Futurity Trophy, took a step forward on two previous outings this season when winning the Listed Yeats Stakes at Navan last time.

O'Brien, who has saddled four of the last six winners of the recently upgraded Group 2 event, including last year with Kew Gardens, may also rely on Barbados, Harpo Marx and Il Paradiso, three maiden-winning sons of Galileo who could be poised to step up in class.

"Of the five we've got in the race, Norway and Western Australia look like being our main runners. We'll decide over the next few days whether any more will run."

Prince of Wales's players stand ground

The Prince of Wales's Stakes contains all the ingredients to be one of the outstanding races of the week as the market leaders, Magical, Sea Of Class and Crystal Ocean, have stood their ground.

The presence of last year's Epsom Derby scorer Masar and the Andre Fabre-trained Waldgeist among the 11 runners adds further intrigue to Royal Ascot's most lucrative contest.

Magical is set to be joined by Ballydoyle stablemates Magic Wand and Hunting Horn, and Zabeel Prince could bid to follow up his Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan triumph for Roger Varian.

Deirdre will carry the hopes of Japan, while Salouen and Desert Encounter could also take their chances in a stellar renewal.

Haggas trio in Cambridge puzzle

William Haggas could launch a three-pronged assault on the Duke of Cambridge Stakes but will be without Curragh Group 2 scorer Beshaayir, with his provisional squad of Awesometank, Move Swiftly and Pretty Baby among 21 entries.

I Can Fly, who produced a career-best performance at the track last season when succumbing to Roaring Lion in an epic QEII will have to shoulder a 3lb penalty.

Sir Michael Stoute could saddle Veracious and Rawdaa, who made the high-class Lah Ti Dar dig deep in the Middleton Stakes at York last time.

The Ed Walker-trained Agrotera was an impressive winner of last year's Sandringham Stakes and could also take her chance, along with Anna Nerium, who defeated Awesometank in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom earlier this month.

Follow the link to view cards for Wednesday's races at Royal Ascot

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