All waiting with Bated Breath over Royal Ascot

But he would prefer to run his charge on the opening afternoon rather than against Australian superstar Black Caviar in Saturday’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes for a number of reasons.

The ground on the Ascot straight course was officially described as good yesterday afternoon, with showers forecast.

“I’m frustrated by the weather and the constant changing forecast like everybody else,”said Charlton. “I know he’s a better horse on faster ground – witness Haydock where he broke the track record.

“It was a pretty good performance there on rattling fast ground. What will happen at Ascot? I don’t know. We’ll just have to wait and see.

“If you look through all the horses in the Diamond Jubilee, I’d be surprised if anyone can come up with a horse that will make the running.

“There might be a very obvious lack of pace. Maybe Black Caviar will make the running, but it’s very unusual not to have pace in a race like that.

“I think the King’s Stand will suit us better as there are two or three horses that could make the running.

“Tangerine Trees is drawn next to us, which is good news. There is a lot of rain coming in on Thursday and if we have a lot of runners at Ascot, that ground is going to get pretty chopped up by Saturday. At least on Tuesday it will be fresh ground.

“I hope it doesn’t rain tonight and tomorrow morning. I’ll walk the track and, if necessary, I’ll scratch him just before the race.”

Asked about the possibility of letting Bated Breath run in both the King’s Stand and the Diamond Jubilee, the trainer said: “It’s too early to make that decision.

“If he’s unlucky in running on Tuesday and the ground is good and fast on Saturday, or if he won easily and the owner said we should have another go he could run on Saturday. I think it’s unlikely, but nothing is impossible.”

Bated Breath was one of 23 sprinters declared for the King’s Stand, which has a truly international feel.

Australian speedball Ortensia is favourite after her win in Dubai from Sole Power, who was also a close second to Bated Breath at Haydock.

The Irish raider is among the declarations, despite trainer Edward Lynam sounding ground concerns of his own on Friday.

Robert Collet’s French raider Wizz Kid, and Joy And Fun and Little Bridge from Hong Kong, add further overseas interest.

Henry Candy will run both Amour Propre and Dinkum Diamond while Epsom Dashwinner Stone Of Folca is also there.

Nunthorpe winner Margot Did will be looking to bounce back to form while Robert Cowell has three runners in last year’s winner Prohibit, Monsieur Joe and Spirit Quartz.

Kevin Ryan’s Bapak Chinta, a winner at the meeting last year, and Bryan Smart’s Prix de l’Abbaye winner Tangerine Trees are also engaged.

Andrew Balding has found the key to Tullius, who won his third race on the bounce at York on Saturday since joining the Kingsclere trainer from Peter Winkworth.

Only three went to post for the Ian And Kate Hall Macmillan Ganton Stakes and the victory was not without a scare.

Doncaster Rover made the 8-13 favourite pull out all the stops but Jimmy Fortune’s mount prevailed by two lengths.

“He’s a lovely little horse and he handled the ground well,” said Fortune. “He’s done well to carry 9st 10lb.”

First-time blinkers had a startling effect on 10-1 Sholaan, who ran away with the feature Bond Tyres Trophy.

The John Smith’s Cup back at York is the target for Navajo Chief (6-1) after he defied a big weight in the Ladbrokes.com Handicap.

The Easterby clan were in good voice after Crackentorp (10-1) retained the Queen Mother’s Cup.

Trained by Tim Easterby and ridden by Jacqueline Coward, veteran handler Mick Easterby’s granddaughter, it was a real family affair.

Easterby also won the Reg Griffin Appreciation EBF Maiden Stakes with the promising Royal Rascal (4-1).