Royal Ascot Day 2 may not have the depth of the opening day, but it certainly has a headline act. The feature race on Wednesday is the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes, where all eyes will be on a mouthwatering clash between Ombudsman and Daryz in what promises to be one of the standout contests of the entire week.
Rather than spreading my bets across the card, I’ve kept things simple with just one bet on the second day, because I do think the banker comes from this race. Let’s dive into my preview for the Prince of Wales and bring you my verdict in the highlight race on day two of the Royal meeting!
16:20 Prince Of Wales Stakes (Group 1) 1m2f: Betting Odds
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- Ombudsman 11/8
- Daryz 2/1
- Almaqam 13/2
- Minnie Hauk 17/2
- See The Fire 20/1
- Dancing Gemini 50/1
- Bar 150/1
The Prince of Wales’s Stakes is the feature event on day two of Royal Ascot and is widely regarded as one of the premier ten furlong contests of the entire season. Run at Group 1 level, it regularly attracts a high class field of older horses and often provides a proper clash between proven Group 1 performers and the emerging stars looking to establish themselves at the top level.
We don’t have a big field this year, but we do have a really intriguing contest. The two favorites are last year’s winner of the race Ombudsman, and the superstar Arc winner, Daryz. Almaqam and Minnie Hauk are definitely interesting too, but they have to show a little more to win here.
16:20 Prince Of Wales Stakes: Analysis, Favorites, and Betting Pick
Let’s start with Ombudsman though, he is a seriously good horse that we know handles the track and the trip here at Ascot. I think if he turns up in peak form, particularly on this fast ground, then he will be very hard to beat.
Still, he will have to get a proper ride to win this as the tactics are going to make the race very interesting. When you look at the record of Ombudsman, he has won eight of his eleven starts, but he isn’t a horse that pulls away and wins by a distance. He tends to place himself well coming into the straight, then outstay whatever is thrown at him. He is tough as it gets. The fact that he doesn’t win by a wide margin though, means he isn’t unbeatable.
The main market rival of Ombudsman is Arc winner Daryz, and he is without question, one of the most talented horses on the planet right now. He won last year’s Arc in stylish fashion, as a three-year-old, and he has won both starts this year too, but there are a few things to consider about this colt.
Last year at York, Daryz was put in his place by Ombudsman, and when he won the Arc, he only beat Minnie Hauk by a head, too. Now, he has won both Group 1 starts at Longchamp this year, but the substance of that form is very questionable.
Darys went off at 7/10 and 1/5, and won as he likes, but that doesn’t suggest clearly that he reverses the form with Ombudsman. I would have a slight concern about the ground for him too. However, he is obviously full of class, and any slip up from the favourite, will fall into the hands of Daryz.
Minnie Hauk likely has a bit to find here, but Almaqam is of major interest. He actually got the better of Ombudsman last season at Sandown, and was only four lengths back of Calandagan in the Champion Stakes too.
Alamaqam has had the one start this season, and that came at the Curragh in the Tattersalls Gold Cup where he beat Bay City Roller whoo subsequently won the Coronation Cup next time out so that form is now looking very strong. Almaqam is a rock solid each-way alternative to the favorites here.
Ultimately though, I do believe Ombudsman will prove best on this ground, and he should take some stopping at 11/8. He would be the banker of the day for me.
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