There is nothing remotely flashy about the Michael Stoute-trained Crystal Ocean (4.20), who wins by grinding or not at all, but he might be the right ally for a race like this Prince of Wales’s Stakes. He is better known for his exploits over further but has plenty of form at 10 furlongs and the rain has come in time to help him.
There is little between him and the Aidan O’Brien runner Magical but the Irish filly has had little to beat so far this year and looks like being a shade too short in the betting. Sea Of Class may eventually prove herself the best in this field but this is a first run back for a horse whose big day is in October and she may not quite be ready for the battle this could become.
Related: Circus Maximus rewards late entry in St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot
Ascot 2.30 Mustashry 3.05 Norway 3.40 Crystal Ocean 4.20 I Can Fly (nap) 5.00 King’s Field (nb) 5.35 Iffraaz
Hamilton 1.50 Hidden Spell 2.20 The New Marwan 2.55 Highly Focussed 3.30 My Boy Lewis 4.05 Southern Rock 4.45 Three Castles 5.20 Silver The Fixer 5.55 Dew Pond
Uttoxeter 2.10 Theatre Act 2.45 Perpignan 3.20 Skeaping 3.55 Adman Sam 4.35 Darling Miss 5.10 Max Do Brazil 5.45 Isla Di Milano
Chelmsford 5.40 Captain Dion 6.10 Governor Of Punjab 6.40 That Is The Spirit 7.10 Exec Chief 7.40 Tropics 8.10 Victory Wave 8.40 Eden Rose 9.10 Ventriloquist
Ripon 6.50 Arms Of The Angel 7.20 Pink Sands 7.50 Camelot Rakti 8.20 Look Out Louis 8.50 Francophilia 9.20 Chil Chil