Dettori booked as Crystal Ocean goes for Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot

Crystal Ocean is being targeted at the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot next week with Frankie Dettori booked to ride.

The five-year-old, who also had the option of going for back-to-back victories in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes, was partnered by Dettori in a workout on the Al Bahathri Polytrack in Newmarket on Wednesday morning.

Stoute said: "Crystal Ocean is in good shape and the plan is to go for the ten-furlong race on the Wednesday with Frankie to ride."

Previously, Stoute has turned to William Buick to partner Crystal Ocean when Ryan Moore has been unavailable but Buick is sidelined still recovering from head trauma.

Owned by Sir Evelyn De Rothschild, the consistent Crystal Ocean has yet to breakthrough at the highest level, but has won six Group races and has finished second in a St Leger, King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Champion Stakes.

He was last seen recording an easy success in Newbury's Aston Park Stakes for the second year running. The son of Sea The Stars will not, however, find things easy in the Prince of Wales's, which promises to be one of the races of the royal meeting. He is 5-1 for the Group 1 Stoute has captured with Hard Fought, Stagecraft and Poet's Word.

Potential opposition includes Irish Oaks winner and Arc second Sea Of Class, the smart Magical and last year's Derby hero Masar. Crack French middle-distance performer Waldgeist is also due to line up.

Dettori has also won the Prince of Wales's three times with Fantastic Light, Grandera and Rewilding. His biggest wins for the Newmarket legend include Expert Eye in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile, the 2008 St Leger on Conduit and the Japan Cup triumph of Singspiel 23 years ago.

Dettori later partnered Stoute inmates Sangarius and Rawdaa, who are also engaged at Royal Ascot.

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