Queally backing Twice Over to take charge of big money race

This year's renewal has attracted a field worthy of the pot, with last season's Champion Stakes hero Twice Over bidding to provide Henry Cecil with what would be a sixth win in the Group One contest.

The son of Observatory was beaten only a length into fourth in the race 12 months ago and has developed into a top-class performer in the interim, landing the Champion Stakes at Newmarket before impressively making the frame in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

That performance on an artificial surface prompted connections to turn their attentions towards the Dubai World Cup, but Twice Over didn't take to the desert and trailed home in 10th.

He has been given time to get over those exertions, though, and his big-race jockey Tom Queally expects him to show his true colours in Berkshire.

"He did disappoint on his only start this year in the Dubai World Cup, but I think he was not as acclimatised to the hot conditions, as the first three home had all been based in Dubai for a few months," Queally wrote on his Racing UK blog.

"He did a very nice piece of work recently and is feeling very well in himself.

"He ran one hell of a race to finish fourth in this race last year and one furlong out you'd have thought there was no way he wouldn't be in the shake-up. He's in very good form and this looks very winnable as it appears a slightly sub-standard Prince Of Wales's.

"Byword looks the main danger, although I think he was flattered to get within half a length of Goldikova last time, and Mawatheeq obviously got to within the same distance of Twice Over in the Champion Stakes, so merits respect. But I wouldn't swap mine for anything."

Byword's second to Goldikova in the Prix d'Ispahan looks even better after the superstar mare landed the Queen Anne yesterday, and both Manduro and Vision D'Etat have taken this back to France in the last three years.

Mawatheeq doesn't have much ground to make up with Twice Over from their clash at Newmarket last autumn, but a trip to Dubai was aborted when he met with a setback earlier this year and connections have indicated that this belated return may come a little bit too soon.

Sir Michael Stoute saddles Glass Harmonium, but the Derby-winning handler's best chance of the day comes courtesy of Strawberrydaiquiri in the Windsor Forest Stakes.

The grey filly is a similar type to Stoute's previous winners of this race, Favourable Terms and Peeress – who took this when the meeting was staged at York in 2005 – and she could make her mark against the boys before the season is out.

The most competitive race of the afternoon is undoubtedly the Royal Hunt Cup and Tadcaster trainer Tom Tate's Balcarce Nov attempts to reverse last month's Knavesmire form with Fareer.

Dandy Nicholls saddles Lovelace but it is the horse's former trainer, Middleham-based Mark Johnston, who could land the spoils courtesy of St Moritz. The lightly-raced five-year-old went down by only a head off this mark at Newmarket last time and is effectively 2lb 'well in'.

Gary Coffey, racing manager to owner Renata Jacobs, said: "St Moritz is in good form. He's run two solid races without winning. He's a horse we have always liked and we feel he is capable of putting up a good performance."

Johnston has another leading contender in the shape of Rainfall in the opening race of the afternoon, the Jersey Stakes.

Following a six-length romp on her Thirsk debut, the Oasis Dream filly was pitched into Listed company at Haydock and took the step up in her stride, finding only the rapidly-improving Irish raider Bewitched too strong in the Sandy Lane Stakes.

The extra furlong is in her favour, but the likes of Free Judgement, Red Jazz and Meezaan – all of whom have run well in Classics – will ensure her mettle is well and truly tested, while Shakespearean, another former Johnston inmate, warmed up with a convincing Epsom victory on Oaks day.

North Yorkshire handler Geoff Oldroyd dons his top hat and tails today and his Ladies Are Forever deserves her place in the Queen Mary Stakes line-up.

Carrying the colours of Reg Bond, the juvenile trounced her opponents by upwards of six lengths on her introduction at Beverley and it would be no surprise if she shook up some well-regarded fillies from the top yards in Newmarket and Ireland.

PRINCE OF WALES'S STAKES (GROUP 1) (Class 1) 1m 2f 4yo plus 255,465

1 33-1143 ALLYBAR 81 (D4)

(1) CH-c King's Best (USA) - Irika (USA)(Irish River) 72

M Al Zarooni 4-9-0 A Ajtebi

Progressive in Dubai and came within a whisker of winning the World Cup, but was only Group 3-class at best in Europe last season and is the Godolphin second-string this afternoon.

2 144-112 BYWORD 24 (D)

(8) CH-c Peintre Celebre (USA) - Binche (USA)(Woodman) 81

A Fabre (FR) 4-9-0 M Guyon

Flattered by his proximity to Goldikova in the Prix D'Ispahan, although he is a rapidly-improving colt and his brilliant trainer wouldn't be bringing him over just for the day out.

3 113-755 lCAVALRYMAN 12 (D)

(3) B-c Halling (USA) - Silversword (FR)(Highest Honor) 99

S Bin Suroor 4-9-0 L Dettori

Last year's Arc third but hasn't lived up to expectations since switching to Godolphin. Not disgraced in the Coronation Cup, though, and this trip could bring out the best in him.

4 016-901 DEBUSSY 41 (D4)

(11) B-c Diesis - Opera Comique (FR)(Singspiel) 92

J Gosden 4-9-0 W Buick

Has a defeat of Midday to his credit but even though he ran out a worthy winner of the Huxley Stakes at Chester, that is his level and today's opposition should have too much class.

5 6142-13 GLASS HARMONIUM 20 (BF,CD)

(9) GR-c Verglas (IRE) - Spring Symphony (IRE)(Darshaan) 88

Sir M Stoute 4-9-0 R L Moore

Looked a typical Stoute improver when landing the Gordon Richards and won at this meeting 12 months ago so capable of putting a costly Brigadier Gerard defeat behind him.

6 6/0112- MAWATHEEQ 242 (C2,D)

(5) B-h Danzig (USA) - Sarayir (USA)(Mr Prospector) 97

M Tregoning 5-9-0 R Hills

The most improved colt in training last season, and almost supplement his Cumberland Lodge triumph when getting closest to Twice Over in the Champion Stakes. Subsequent absence a concern, however.

7 3-21055 PRESVIS 31 (D5)

(10) B-g Sakhee (USA) - Forest Fire (SWE)(Never So Bold) 73

L Cumani 6-9-0 K Fallon

Globetrotting gelding and a good moneyspinner for connections, but he has yet to prove he is up to the top level in Europe. Each-way claims at best.

8 31/54-6 STIMULATION 32

(12) B-h Choisir (AUS) - Damiana (IRE)(Thatching) 79

H Morrison 5-9-0 J P Murtagh

Has had his problems, has cut little ice over shorter trips in the last couple of years and his stamina for this trip must be a major concern.

9 1956-22 TAZEEZ 20 (D)

(4) B-g Silver Hawk (USA) - Soiree Russe (USA)(Nureyev) 91

J Gosden 6-9-0 T O'Shea

Solid Group 3 performer and just touched off in the Brigadier Gerard. Fifth in this last term and that is probably the best he can hope for again.

10 71113-0 TWICE OVER 81 (D5)

(7) B-h Observatory (USA) - Double Crossed(Caerleon) 98

H Cecil 5-9-0 T Queally

Fourth 12 months ago but top-class since, winning the Champion and taking third at the Breeders' Cup. Better than his World Cup effort suggests.

11 11114-3 WIENER WALZER 24 (D)

(2) B-c Dynaformer (USA) - Walzerkoenigin (USA)(Kingmambo) 70

J Hirschberger (GER) 4-9-0 A de Vries

Dual Group 1 winner in Germany but a long way behind Byword in France recently and hard to see him troubling the principals.

12 15114-2 SHALANAYA 45 (D3)

(6) CH-f Lomitas - Shalamantika (IRE)(Nashwan) 98

M Delzangles (FR) 4-8-11 C Lemaire

Sprung a surprise in the Prix de l'Opera last autumn, although her subsequent performances indicate that this is flying too high.

2009: Vision D'Etat 4 9 0, O Peslier 4-1 (E Libaud), drawn (7), 8 ran.

7-2 Byword, 4 Twice Over, 5 Mawatheeq, 8 Cavalryman, Presvis, Shalanaya, 12 Glass Harmonium, 14 Allybar, 16 Others.