Elsworth optimistic Dash Of Spice can overcome a steep hike in the handicap

Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) | 1m4f | 3yo + | ITV

David Elsworth and Jeff Smith suffered Royal Ascot frustration seven times with the great Persian Punch, but they have also enjoyed three wins here together and, following an absence of 11 years, have a favourite's chance of a fourth with Dash Of Spice.

Barshiba's win in the 2007 Sandringham Stakes, carrying Smith's familiar purple and blue silks, was Elsworth's last at the meeting, but Dash Of Spice has looked a handicapper going places this season. He could hardly have been more impressive when making up for a Kempton nightmare by beating Golden Wolf by six lengths at Epsom on Derby day.

Smith was braced for a double-figure rise – and the handicapper has obliged, as he was bound to – but Elsworth remain as optimistic as one can be in a race of this nature.

He said: "It's all gone to plan so far and we're optimistic. He won with authority and wasn't extended at Epsom, but he's gone up 11lb for that. He's in good order, though."

Surprise draw stat

One might imagine a high draw is a big disadvantage, but the statistics suggest not and the last three winners have been drawn 19, 19 and 18.

What's more, when Rare Rhythm beat Appeared last year the first six were drawn 19, 18, 5, 17, 15 and 11.

Rehabilitation complete

The rehabilitation of jockey James McDonald seems to have been completed in double-quick time, for having enjoyed Jersey Stakes success on Expert Eye for Sir Michael Stoute on Wednesday he partners Eynhallow for Godolphin, who terminated his retainer after he was banned for 18 months in Australia for breaching betting rules.

Eynhallow was very progressive last year for Roger Charlton and ran two cracking races for new connections at Meydan.

What they say

Roger Charlton, trainer of Blakeney Point
His Goodwood third looks fairly solid after the two who beat him ran well in the Wolferton, and I think he needed that race. He was progressive last season and he's in excellent form. I'd prefer a little more juice in the ground, and I'm not sure the wide draw is ideal for a forward-going horse, but we're looking forward to running him.

Alan King, trainer of Top Tug
He was a close fourth last year off 105, and I was relieved the handicapper left him on that mark after his good comeback second at Goodwood. He's been so consistent for us and will hopefully again be bang there at the finish. We were drawn 17 last year and, although the first two home came from 18 and 19, ideally you want to be a bit lower and stall ten looks ideal.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Clear Skies
She's a consistent mare who ran second in a Listed race last time. She's in good form and we're hoping she goes well

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Walton Street and Eynhallow
Walton Street progressed throughout the winter in Dubai and this has beenthe target since his last run at Meydan. We hope he's still progressing and he should be very competitive. Eynhallow can get a bit keen in his races, but hopefully they go a good gallop, which would suit. If he can reproduce his latest run behind Walton Street, he should go pretty close.

Roger Varian, trainer of Appeared
Appeared was second last season, trying to give weight to a subsequent Group 3 winner, and he’s only 2lb higher this time around. He loves Ascot and fast ground and goes well fresh, while a wide draw has been a positive over this trip in recent seasons, so I hope everything is in place for another big performance.

Marco Botti, trainer of Crowned Eagle
He won at Kempton and was a close second at York, only denied at the line. He's a tough horse who stays well and he won't mind the ground. I think he's a little bit better right-handed so that should suit him. We're hopeful of a good run.

David Menuisier, trainer of Thundering Blue
It's a bit of a shame he's drawn so wide, that's my only reservation, but saying that the last three winners of the race were all drawn wide. As long as there is pace on the outside it should be fine. I'll leave it up to Frankie anyway!

Ian Williams, trainer of Saunter
His comeback race in France was good and we thought he performed above his mark there. He's in good form and he's not drawn badly, so he ticks lots of boxes.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to his father Mark, trainer of Fire Fighting
He's been a fantastic horse for us and given an amazing amount of enjoyment, but he makes the rules up himself nowadays as he tends to hang and is on and off the bridle. The penalty he picked up at Windsor last week has got him in and he's been rated a lot higher. He could run well.

Ed Dunlop, trainer of Manjaam
He's drawn in the car park, but he's won at Ascot before and was a good winner at York last time, so we're pleased he sneaked in at the bottom of the handicap.

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