Princess Peggy back on track for Albany after cyclist incident

Royal Ascot puts horses, trainers, jockeys and punters through a whirlwind of emotions, but few will have felt the same as Wesley Ward this week after his Albany Stakes contender Princess Peggy was involved in a collision with a cyclist on Wednesday.

The filly, who is a general 8-1 chance for Friday's Group 3 contest for fillies, sustained superficial abrasions and will still need to pass the vet in the morning before the opening event, but she looks likely to line up.

Speaking on Wednesday, Ward said: "Princess Peggy trained on Thursday morning, she has been given the thumbs up following the workout and she will train again on Friday morning.

Ward, who has already trained Lady Aurelia and Con Te Partiro to win this week, added: "I wasn't around when the incident took place but the cyclist was fine afterwards."

He joked: "He might not have been if I was there!"

The Ascot stewards officially noted the incident, reporting: "She was struck by a bicycle when crossing the street to return to the stable yard after having completed her morning exercise, losing her footing and falling to the ground."

Princess Peggy won on her debut at Belmont Park but on ante-post prices is second string for Ward as his Fairyland is a 7-2 chance behind hot favourite Alpha Centauri.