G1 Dubai Sheema Classic winner Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling) is among 17 horses left in the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot on Wednesday, June 21 following the confirmation stage. The 5-year-old has had little racing since his Classic campaign when he lifted the G1 Irish Derby, but showed he was as good as ever when striking at Meydan. His trainer John Gosden also has Wings Of Desire (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in the 10-furlong showpiece while Godolphin, who are major shareholders in Jack Hobbs, can call on Hawkbill (Kitten's Joy) and Scottish (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) from Charlie Appleby's stable, the Jim Bolger-trained Moonlight Magic (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Saeed bin Suroor's Prize Money (GB) (Authorized {Ire}).
G1 Coronation Cup winner Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is one of three possibles from the Aidan O'Brien battalions along with Deauville (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Johannes Vermeer (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Dermot Weld is responsible for The Grey Gatsby (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), who was second in 2015 when trained by Kevin Ryan. Last year's winner My Dream Boat (Ire) (Lord Shanakill), trained by Clive Cox, could bid to become the first dual winner since Muhtarram (Alleged) in 1994-95.
Sir Michael Stoute is double-handed with Ulysses (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}), while Roger Charlton has Decorated Knight (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), who took the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh last month. Jean-Claude Rouget's Mekhtaal (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) is the sole French entry following the defection of Cloth Of Stars (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). The remaining contenders are: the William Haggas-trained Mutakayyef (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and Roger Varian's Nezwaah (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).
The complexion of the June 21 G2 Duke of Cambridge S. changed Thursday, with last year's winner Usherette (Ire) (Shamardal) and Chris Wall's Mix And Mingle (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) having been supplemented. Andre Fabre's Usherette has been without a win since her success 12 months ago, but returned to something like her best last time out when beaten less than a length by Mekhtaal in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan.
Mix And Mingle has won both her starts this season, including when beating last year's G1 Coronation S. winner Qemah (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who she will meet again, in the G3 Chartwell S. at Lingfield.
“We'd been weighing up all the options, but she's in good shape, galloped well on Tuesday and I'm very happy with her,” said Wall. “Crucially the weather looks set fair, which helped us make the decision. Last year I was convinced she didn't stay a mile, but she's another year older and her pedigree suggests she should have no problem staying. I'm not quite sure who'll ride her yet with Ted Durcan injured still, but we've a few irons in the fire.”
As ever there is international interest, with Graham Motion bringing MGISW Miss Temple City (Temple City) over for a third go having finished fourth in the Coronation S. and this corresponding race for the last two years.
Furia Cruzada (Chi) (Newfoundland), formerly with John Gosden but now trained in France by Satoshi Kobayashi, is in the mix, while the Francois Doumen-trained Aim To Please (Fr) (Excellent Art {GB}) along with Usherette and Qemah complete a strong French challenge.
Gosden can run impressive Epsom winner Laugh Aloud (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Persuasive (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and new recruit Greta G (Arg) (Exchange Rate).
Somehow (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Absolute Blast (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Nezwaah (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Smart Call (SAf) (Ideal World) are also among the 20 remaining fillies and mares.
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