Carlton House aiming to end wretched run for Stoute

But a big-race triumph would mean even more to the horse’s trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, who has endured a wretched run since Carlton House was a very unlucky third in last year’s Epsom Derby.

He did not even have a runner in this year’s blue riband race and will have a maximum of nine runners at the Royal meeting if every declared horse lines up at Ascot.

The only glimmer for Stoute was the comeback win of Carlton House, last year’s Dante winner, in Sandown’s Brigadier Gerard Stakes – form that should be franked in Royal Ascot’s day two feature.

“It was a satisfactory return in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown,” said Stoute, who has recorded just 18 winners this season.

“It was a solid performance, he’s now got to go forward. He’s got a great attitude. When you look back to the Dante, third time on a racecourse, he came through a very narrow gap there.

“Sandown the other night, he really wanted it. In the Derby, he wanted it but nothing went right, including in the build-up during that week when we had big problems with him.

“He didn’t jump very well and then he got messed about by some no-hopers and got pushed very wide. He ran a big race in the Derby. He’s very honest.”

Ryan Moore has ridden Carlton House in all of his six starts. While his partner’s task has been made slightly easier with the Champion Stakes winner Cirrus Des Aigles not coming over from France, Moore is still wary of So You Think, whom he rode four times last season – winning once – for Aidan O’Brien.

“I was quite happy with Carlton’s performance at Sandown,” said the jockey.

“Obviously he’s stepping up in grade and there are still questions to answer but he’s still lightly raced.

“He’s got a bit more scope for improvement yet but he’s got a hard task.”

So You Think’s riding responsibilities have been passed to O’Brien’s nerveless son Joseph, who is still buoyed by his Epsom Derby success on Camelot.

James Given’s Jadanna puts her unbeaten record on the line in tomorrow’s Queen Mary Stakes.

Victories at Pontefract and Beverley have seen her sneak under the radar, but Given feels she may have been under-rated going into the Group Two contest.

Winners of Beverley’s Hilary Needler Trophy have traditionally performed well in the race, but Given believes her performance has been downgraded because the runner-up was sent off at 100-1.

“I was very pleased she backed up what she showed at Pontefract in the Hilary Needler, but her success does not seem to have been rated very highly,” said the Gainsborough trainer, who has offered Frankie Dettori the opportunity to revive his flagging fortunes.