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Prince of Wales's Stakes 2016: Rain could suit Dream Boat
Posted in: Royal Ascot Tips
Timeform preview the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes, set to take place on Wednesday at Royal Ascot 2016, and advise an each-way bet.
With the signifcant rain that hit Ascot on Friday and the strong possibility of more between now and Wednesday, this year’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes could be run on ground softer than good for the first time since 1998. There are currently nine runners still left in at the five-day stage, but it would be no surprise if there were some significant withdrawals between now and Wednesday given that last year’s unlucky second The Grey Gatsby and current 5/1-chance Time Test (who ran a career-best in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown under a 5 lb Group 2 penalty last month) both missed their intended engagements in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in May due to testing ground.
Based on their form to date it is difficult to imagine that either Tryster or Highland Reel will be seen to best effect on ground with plenty of cut in it, either, while the likes of Western Hymn who does at least have some form on a softer surface, probably lacks the class to win this.
Prior to last month’s Prix d’Ispahan, it would have also been easy to be sceptical about the chances of Japanese raider A Shin Hikari on a softer surface, seeing as all his form – including his career-best effort in the Hong Kong Cup in December – has been on quicker ground.
However, his spectacular European debut at Chantilly last month on going described as soft means that his supporters will not have been as alarmed as some to see the rain arrive at Ascot. That win, where he beat Prix Ganay winner Dariyan by seven (though officially called 10) lengths, was the best performance seen on Timeform ratings in Europe this year, and it is no surprise to see him now touching odds-on in places with conditions having gone against many of his main rivals.
A Shin Hikari looks hard to oppose for win purposes (5 lb clear of the field on Timeform ratings) but there is definitely an each-way case to be made for My Dream Boat, who was well beaten by the favourite at Chantilly last time (though did get involved in a bumping match with Silverwave) but prior to that had been progressive, winning the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown with a career best on his return.
Perhaps crucially, My Dream Boat’s win in the Prix Perth at Saint-Cloud last season came on soft ground, and as the outsider of the current field of nine, he makes some appeal for each-way purposes.
It is also worth mentioning Found, who has been busy this season, having had four outings already including the Coronation Cup on Derby day. She is not guaranteed to run, but would be a real contender if she did show up, and if the likes of Time Test and The Grey Gatsby are below form or do not run due to the ground, she could be the biggest danger to A Shin Hikari for win purposes.
Click here to back My Dream Boat at 20/1 each-way for the 2016 Prince of Wales's Stakes
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