Moore picks Norway over Australia as O'Brien seeks seventh Queen's Vase success

3.05 Ascot
Queen's Vase (Group 2) | 1m6f, 3yo | ITV/Sky

He dominated the Derby and now he is mob-handed in the Queen's Vase, a race he has won for three of the last four years and five times since 2010. It is safe to assume Aidan O'Brien will have a major say in this staying showpiece for three-year-olds.

If jockey bookings are to be believed, Norway is the number one contender from Ballydoyle this year as Ryan Moore takes the ride on the horse who finished eighth in the Derby at Epsom.

The son of Galileo is the joint top-rated with stablemate Western Australia, on a mark of 107, with an extra two furlongs looks right up his street.

Using jockeys bookings as a guide has not always proved profitable, however, as Moore did not ride 2016 winner, Sword Fighter. Donnacha O'Brien, still searching for his first Royal success, takes the ride on Western Australia who relished the step up to this sort of trip when grinding out a Listed victory at Navan last month.

Western Australia's Autumn Stakes fourth has proved a remarkable bit of form, with French Guineas winner Persian King (first) and Irish Guineas winner Magna Grecia (second) beating Tuesday's St James's Palace victor Circus Maximus in third.

Western Australia: Listed winner at Navan last timeCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

O'Brien said: "Western Australia is progressing nicely and won well at Navan. He seems in good form since. Norway only ran the other day in the Derby but has come out of the race well so we said we would let him take his chance. The trip should suit."

O'Brien's quartet is completed by recent Tipperary maiden winner, Harpo Marx, and Barbados.

He added: "Barbados and Harpo Marx are both stepping up in trip and we feel the extra emphasis on stamina might suit them both."

Rain no hindrance to Appleby pair

There are grounds for optimism in the Godolphin camp. Jalmoud won a Listed race at Longchamp on soft going on his most recent start and Charlie Appleby has said that Moonlight Spirit will appreciate any further easing of the ground.

Easing of the ground would seem a distinct possibility too given there are severe thunderstorms forecast to hit Ascot and, if the surface does soften considerably, the Appleby pair are two to keep on side.

Jalmoud (left): winner of his last two startsCredit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

Appleby said: "Jalmoud brings a nice progressive profile into the race, having battled well to win his Listed race at Longchamp. It was a very slowly run race on soft ground that day and we are hoping that the step up in trip might produce further improvement.

"Moonlight Spirit will appreciate any ease in the ground and I am confident that the step up to a mile and three quarters is going to suit. He has a stout pedigree and, if he can improve with the extra distance, it should make him a player."

What they say

David Simcock, trainer of Almost Midnight
He is an interesting young stayer who will eventually go to be trained in Australia. We should find out quite a bit about him here but I'm confident he will relish the trip.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Eminent Authority
He's in good shape but this is a big step up for him. We do think the step up in trip will suit him, though.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Dashing Willoughby
He ran well at Chester and Newbury before that. He should stay well.

Spotlight Verdict

He was beaten 7l when eighth in the Derby but that does not tell the whole story about Norway, who raced in second for much of the Epsom Classic. Those who raced prominently did not last home and on top of that he was not going to be beaten all that far until he was short of room close home. He has potential as he goes up in trip and can continue Aidan O'Brien's fine recent record in this race. Stablemate Western Australia is feared most after his 1m5f Listed win at Navan last month. Eminent Authority is next on the list, making just his third start and having shown plenty of staying promise. Jalmoud and Nate The Great are others who could run well.

Ladbrokes are paying 4 places instead of 3 in the 3.05 at Royal Ascot. Standard place terms apply if 14 or fewer horses run. Click to view the card here