New position but same old challenges as Romance leads the way for Ward

3.40 Royal AscotWindsor Castle Stakes (Listed) | 5f | 2yo | ITV4/RUK

Switched from race six on day one to this primetime slot on the final afternoon, the Windsor Castle has attracted a typically large and mixed field of runners, some with obvious chances and some who are rolling the dice in search of glory.

This race provided the breakthrough at the royal meeting for US trainer Wesley Ward in 2009 and he fields Moonlight Romance, runner-up to Norfolk Stakes winner Shang Shang Shang on her debut, in a bid to provide her larger-than-life owner Ken Ramsey with a treasured first Royal Ascot victory.

Ward said: “Moonlight Romance was second to Shang Shang Shang on dirt but is a grass horse with a grass pedigree. She was real good last time and I like her.”

Bermuda aims to be Queen of the Castle

Wesley Ward is not the only trainer to use the tactic of running his fast, talented fillies against the colts with William Haggas fielding Queen Of Bermuda here instead of the Queen Mary Stakes.

Autumnal was the last filly to win the race way back in 2000 and Haggas is keeping his fingers crossed he has picked the right contest.

"She was really good at Windsor last time and the form of her Ascot second on debut has been franked – the winner and the third that day were third and fifth in the Queen Mary," Haggas said.

"I hope I've picked the right race for her. I think I have, but with 28 runners you need some luck. She's got good experience and I'm very happy with her at home."

O'Brien rarely wide of the mark

He may not run his best horses in this race, but trainer Aidan O’Brien’s runners are often not too far away at the business end.

While Declarationofpeace blew out as favourite last year, the likes of Washington DC, Fountain Of Youth, Pedestal, Parliament Square and Petronius Maximus have won or hit the frame – and often at decent odds too.

O’Brien runs three this year – Van Beethoven, Isle Of Innisfree and North Wind – and said: "Van Beethoven has shown the best form of the three and we're very happy with him. He was a good second in the Marble Hill last time and the shorter trip shouldn't be a problem.

"Isle Of Innisfree and North Wind are two nice maidens and we're hoping they run well."

What they say

Richard Spencer, trainer of Cococabala
He’s come out of his win at Wetherby fine. He won well that day and we gave the second a lot of weight. I think he has a good chance.

Joseph O’Brien, trainer of Dom Carlos
He won well over the trip at the Curragh last time and has been in good form since. We're happy with his draw and we're hoping he goes well.

George Baker, trainer of Hit The Track Jack
He's quick and ran a good time when winning at Lingfield. He's drawn low, so we'll take our medicine and stay over there. He's in good order.

Michael Bell, trainer of James Watt
He’s two from two and a very smart two-year-old. It’s going to be a tough race but he thoroughly deserves to be there. Hopefully he’ll run very well.

Jack Channon, assistant to Mick Channon, trainer of Jungle Inthebungle
He’s a tough, hardy horse and he did really well to win the Brian Yeardley at Beverley last time. Conditions should suit him really well but it’s a 28-runner field, so we’ll need some luck.

Amy Murphy, trainer of Kapono and Thegreatestshowman
I don’t see the quicker ground as an issue for Kapono. He’s by an Australian stallion and has a quick, top-of-the-ground action, so I actually think his class got him through at Goodwood and the quicker ground will be better. Thegreatestshowman is a lovely little horse who tries hard. He’s in good form and he won nicely at Brighton when he dropped back in trip. Running over six furlongs was trainer error.

John Gosden, trainer of Kessaar
He ran very well on his debut at York to be second and the plan had been to give him another run before Ascot but there wasn't time. He'll give a good account of himself but he'll probably be best over six furlongs.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Mutawaffer
He bolted up at Goodwood last time over six furlongs and, although he drops back to five here, he has every chance because of his natural speed and ability.

Con Marnane, co-owner of Rolling King
He won very impressively and in a fast time at Chantilly and just got stuck a bit in the soft ground last time. He's a well-bred colt bought by Amy [Marnane] in America.

Archie Watson, trainer of Rockin Roy and Soldier’s Call
Soldier’s Call is a very quick and talented two-year-old. I was very impressed with him at Haydock and I hope he’ll run a big race. Rockin Roy is a lovely, straightforward horse. He’s tough as he’s had three runs and I think a stiff five furlongs will suit him.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Sabre
He’s a very speedy colt. Things didn’t go right in the National Stakes and he was only just beaten. I’d be keen on his chances.

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Tin Hat
He deserves his place. He’s a tough, sound horse and will run really well.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Well Done Fox
We’ve always thought quite a bit of him and I think he’ll have no problem on the ground. It’s a competitive race but I can see him running a nice race.

Declan Carroll, trainer of World Order
He’s in good form and we’ve targeted him at this race since he ran at York. I was happy with him that day, although the form was let down a little by the winner in the Norfolk, and he’s come forward again since then. I’m looking forward to him.

Mark Johnston, trainer of Chapelli
It's a bit of a cavalry charge but she likes the trip and has done little wrong in winning her two starts to date. She deserves to take her chance and some black type would be nice.

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