Can cheekpieces spark revival for 'crazily short-priced' English Oak in bid for another Buckingham Palace win?

Four-year-olds have won all five runnings since this race returned to the Royal Ascot race programme in 2020 and English Oak attempts to become the first horse to land it in back-to-back years.

He’s one of three for Wathnan and was notably well backed before his three-length romp in 2024. Not much has gone to plan this term since a gelding procedure in the off-season, but he’s just 1lb above last year’s winning mark as a result. First-time cheekpieces could help spark a revival.

Witch Hunter is the other runner to have won this race (2023) but he’s looked regressive this season and stall eight doesn’t look ideal (four of the last five have been won from high draws).

Kevin Ryan has won this twice and the all-weather specialist Apiarist may be capable of transferring his synthetic surface form to Ascot’s straight course. He was as good as ever when third on All-Weather Championships finals day at Newcastle and that’s an effort worth upgrading, having been the only runner in contention from a low draw.

Never So Brave was beaten only a nose by reopposing Myal at Chester last time, his first run since leaving Sir Michael Stoute, and although he’s up 4lb, he’s entitled to strip fitter for that first run since October.

No Retreat has stall one to overcome but his yard debut at Haydock was encouraging on his first run off the plane from Meydan where he looked highly progressive through the winter. He gives the impression a stiff seven furlongs could be his optimum distance.

Ryan Moore is an eyecatching booking for Roi De France by the Gosdens, but the son of Sea The Stars is more effective over a mile and he’ll need a strong pace to aim at to get into contention over this trip.
Race analysis by Phill Anderson

What they say

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Roi De France
He ran a solid race over course and distance last time and has come out of that in good order. Hopefully, he can run a solid race for his new ownership.

Jamie Osborne, trainer of Tarkhan
The handicapper rewarded us with a drop, so he could race here. He's been working well but I'd have concerns over the fast ground.

Ed Walker, trainer of English Oak
He's a crazily short price considering the form he's been in. He's disappointed in handicaps this season and we were so disheartened after his last run that we gave him a week out in the field. He looks well and he wears cheekpieces to try to sharpen him up.

Richard Brown, racing adviser for Wathnan Racing, owners of Holguin and Jayyash
Qatar didn’t really suit Holguin, but he came back and ran a solid race at Chester last time. He was trapped out wide but wasn’t beaten too far at all. I do wonder if he’s at his best on a turning track. Jayyash has done us proud in Qatar but he’s gone up in the handicap as a result. It’s going to make things tougher for him but he’ll be doing his best.

George Boughey, trainer of Oliver Show and Spangled Mac
Oliver Show did all but win in the Lincoln and this has been the plan ever since. He's had his wind done since and I hope if puts his best foot forward he can be very competitive. I think this track will suit him great and seven furlongs is his optimum trip. Spangled Mac has also had a wind operation. He's been fourth in this race before and he's an old favourite. He always seems to win once a year and you never really know when it's going to be.

David O'Meara, trainer of Akkadian Thunder, Cerulean Bay, Inside Matters and Mirsky
Mirsky has had a great season and is dropping back in trip. He won at Thirsk and Epsom, so going to seven furlongs at Ascot may not be entirely in his favour as he seems to be better round a bend. Akkadian Thunder won nicely at Doncaster last time and he's got a nice draw. Inside Matters is having his first run for us, so it's very much a learning experience with him. He works well but we'll find out what he can do here. Cerulean Bay was very good last year and he's just starting to find his form. His last run was his best this season but fast ground would be a little bit of a negative.

Adam Ryan, assistant to Kevin Ryan, trainer of Apiarist
He's had a great campaign on the all-weather and a strongly run seven furlongs would be ideal for him. He's got a nice turn of foot, so hopefully things could play out in his favour.

George Scott, trainer of No Retreat
He's been trained for this race since I got him and coming back to seven on the straight track should suit. Draw one isn't ideal but you have to play the hand you're dealt. He's a horse with plenty of ability.

Stephen Thorne, trainer of Gleneagle Bay
He was still quite raw and immature so he will have learned plenty from Ascot and travelling over last time, while he's had a look at the track. He's gone up 3lb from the Victoria Cup and it looks an ideal prep. He just got a little bit isolated last time but hold-up tactics suit him well and hopefully he has a live chance.

Tom Clover, trainer of Fifty Nifty
He ran well on his reappearance but just had a slight issue on his last run. He’s one we’re looking forward to running and he should love the ground.
Reporting by Oliver Barnard

Read our Thursday previews:

2.30 at Royal Ascot: Can Charles Darwin buck the trend for losing favourites and prove another juvenile star for Aidan O'Brien in the Norfolk?

3.05 at Royal Ascot: This King George is made for a William Haggas hope - will another well-fancied Aidan O'Brien contender miss out?

3:40 at Royal Ascot: 'She ran a very good trial for this when second behind a proper filly' - can superpowers carve up the Ribblesdale again?

4.20 at Royal Ascot: The Gold Cup is the supreme test of stamina but who is bred to stay in an era when pedigrees are chock full of speed?

5.00 at Royal Ascot: 'La Botte has the right profile and could find even more improvement at a mile' - expert analysis for straight mile cavalry charge

5.35 at Royal Ascot: 'This field is stacked with quality' - class looks to be to the fore in above-average Hampton Court