One trainer, one jockey, one horse and one race to watch on Wednesday
Trainer
Aidan O'Brien holds a strong hand in the Group races at Royal Ascot on Wednesday but Sir Michael Stoute will be out to spoil the party with three promising runners.
The top trainer at the royal meeting, Stoute sends out Crystal Ocean in a star-studded renewal of the feature Prince of Wales's Stakes (3.40), with the five-year-old bidding for a first Group 1 victory.
Stoute aims two runners at the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes (4.20), likely favourite Rawdaa, who will be partnered by Frankie Dettori, and Veracious, last seen finishing third at Epsom.
Jockey
As a retained rider with Godolphin, James Doyle is rarely short of ammunition and represents his employers aboard the Charlie Appleby-trained Theory Of Time, who runs in the Queen Mary (2.30), Royal Hunt Cup hope Key Victory and Jalmoud, who takes on Western Australia and Norway in the Queen's Vase (3.05).
The jockey enjoys a fruitful partnership with William Haggas and has been booked to ride Pretty Baby in the Duke of Cambridge (4.20) and, after Masar was redirected to the Hardwicke, will be reunited with Classic winner Sea Of Class in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.
Horse
New Graduate has been a model of consistency for James Tate and has an excellent opportunity to provide his trainer with a first Royal Ascot victory in a competitive renewal of the Royal Hunt Cup (5.00).
The four-year-old was an impressive five-length winner of a Ripon handicap over a mile last time and will benefit from the services of Frankie Dettori for the first time.
Race
Royal Ascot is a celebration of the very best performers and the Prince of Wales's Stakes (3.40) could be the race of the meeting with a star-studded field of eight.
Dual Group 1 winner Magical could head the market for O'Brien after landing the Tattersalls Gold Cup by seven lengths at the Curragh last month.
Her main rivals look to be Arc runner-up Sea Of Class, the ultra-consistent Crystal Ocean and Prix Ganay winner Waldgeist. With Zabeel Prince, Japanese star Deirdre, Hunting Horn and Desert Encounter also in the mix, it promises to be a race to remember.
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Published on 19 June 2019inPreviews
Last updated 19:29, 18 June 2019
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- More Classic clues on offer as Aidan O'Brien hopes for a change in fortune at a Chester meeting that's served him so well
- 2.05 Chester: 'We put her away for this' - analysis and key quotes for a punting conundrum in the Lily Agnes
- 3.40 Chester: Derby hopefuls put Classic claims to the test - can anyone threaten Aidan O'Brien's hot favourite Grosvener Square?
- 3.05 Chester: is there another top-class filly lurking in a highly competitive Cheshire Oaks?