Hills books James McDonald for Ascot trio headed by Equilateral

James McDonald, looking for a first Royal Ascot winner, is building a handy book of rides at the meeting headed by Commonwealth Cup favourite Equilateral, one of three for Charlie Hills on Friday.

The New Zealander, back from an 18-month ban for betting when retained by Godolphin in Australia, has returned to Britain and is booked for a first ride at Windsor on Monday on the James Tate-trained Implicit.

McDonald, who has five potential rides over the first three days of the royal meeting, partnered 19 winners on his last summer stint in Britain two years ago, including Dutch Connection for Hills in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood.

Check out McDonald's stats and booked rides

Hills has also booked him for Hawayel (Albany) and either Elizabeth Bennet or Juliet Foxtrot in the Sandringham on Friday's card.

Equliateral is sharing favouritism with Sioux Nation, one of eight possibles for Aidan O'Brien in the Commonwealth Cup following Saturday's forfeit stage, and the Ballydoyle trainer said: "We've a few left in the race including Sioux Nation, who won the Norfolk and the Phoenix Stakes last year.

"The plan is for him to run and we've been happy with him since his Group 3 win at Naas last month."

Johnston pair stand their ground

Mark Johnston has left Derby runner-up Dee Ex Bee, as well as Dante runner-up Mildenberger, in the King Edward VII Stakes, which he won last year with the ill-fated Permian.

Derby runner-up Dee Ex Bee (right) remains among the King Edward VII acceptors at Royal Ascot next FridayCredit: Mark Cranham

Dee Ex Bee has the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby as an alternative, for which he needs supplementing on June 30.

Guineas trio clash is on

The showdown between the English, Irish and French 1,000 Guineas winners in the Coronation Stakes (4.20) remains on after Billesdon Brook – who was supplemented for £45,000 – Alpha Centauri and Teppal featured among 17 still in the running for the race after forfeits on Saturday.

However, it is Churchill's sister Clemmie, only ninth behind Alpha Centauri on her seasonal reappearance in the Irish Classic, who heads the betting.

Alpha Centauri: one of three Guineas winners to tackle the Coronation StakesCredit: Patrick McCann

Her trainer O'Brien said: "Clemmie is in good form and we've been happy with her since the Irish Guineas.

"We knew going to the Curragh that she was just ready to start her season and that she would come forward from the run. We think she has done that."

Still no rain in Berkshire

The ground at Ascot remained good to firm, good in places on Saturday afternoon after forecast showers failed to materialise.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: "There's still the chance of the odd shower later but nothing significant – we've had only 1.5mm of rain this month.

"We put down 8mm around the whole course on Friday to replace the moisture lost during the day but haven't watered today.

"We'll water again tomorrow morning – another 8mm – to maintain the good to firm, good in places, and then decide after that looking at the weather forecast."

The forecast is for a dry week, with temperatures in the low 20Cs.

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