BAY BRIDGE can win the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (British Champions Series) (Colts) (3.40pm) on the second day of Royal Ascot 2022.
Fresh from his sixth Cazoo Derby success with the impressive Desert Crown trainer Sir Michael Stoute can land another Group One victory in the feature on day two in Berkshire.
The four-year-old is the typical late-improving type that the master of Freemason Lodge has always done so well with.
Although Bay Bridge will be running in his first race at the top level up against regular Group One performers, including Japanese raider Shahryar and last year’s winner Lord North, he can continue his rise with victory.
Bay Bridge is unbeaten in his last five starts all over this 1m2f distance. From impressing in the always informative London Gold Cup Handicap at Newbury last May, he added another handicap success at York and a Listed victory at Newmarket before signing off for the season.
He improved again to comfortably beat Mostahdaf on his seasonal return in the Group Three Coral Bridadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown last month.
That win means he deserves his place in the line up and he can show he is clearly on an upward curve by landing a first Group One prize.
American trainer Wesley Ward has a fine record at Royal Ascot especially with his juveniles and the speedy LOVE REIGNS can provide him with another victory in the Group Two Queen Mary Stakes (Fillies) (2.30pm).
Ward has won the five-furlong contest three times in the past with Acapulco, Lady Aurelia and Campanelle. Like those winners Love Reigns has had just one career run so far, but the daughter of US Navy Flag impressed when winning at Keeneland.
She can give the trainer another success ahead of Karl Burke’s Dramatised and the Michael O’Callaghan-trained Olivia Maralda.
Aidan O’Brien may not have as strong a hand in the main Group One contests this year as in the past, but he could still have a good afternoon on the second day at Royal Ascot with ANCHORAGE leading the way in the Group Two Queen’s Vase (3.05pm).
Victory would see the Ballydoyle handler draw level with the late Henry Cecil on a record eight successes in the 1m6f contest.
Anchorage has yet to really shine with one win, over a mile at Thurles last season, to his name in seven career starts. But he hasn’t run over further than the 1m2f over which he was a reasonable fifth at the Curragh in a Group Three last time.
This step up in trip can bring out the necessary improvement he needs to be a factor and he can score ahead of Godolphin rivals Nahanni and Hafit.
O’Brien’s MOTHER EARTH drops down to Group Two company and despite winning at the top level doesn’t have to carry a penalty in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Fillies & Mares) (4.20pm).
She won the 1,000 Guineas last year and ran some fine races in defeat at the top level. Dropped down in grade and with a run – when seventh to Baaeed in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month – under her belt she should have too much class for her rivals.
Another Ballydoyle inmate, the impressive Naas Maiden winner LITTLE BIG BEAR, may bring up a treble for O’Brien in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes (5.35pm).
George Boughey’s TOTALLY CHARMING, to be ridden by Frankie Dettori, heads a long list of potenial winners in the Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (5pm). The four-year-old has won four of his last six starts and can bring up a hat-trick of successes hot on the heels of victory at Epsom earlier this month.
Roger Varian’s Legend Of Dubai, the John & Thady Gosden-trained Magical Morning and Percy’s Lad are others who may go close.
Clive Cox's SPIRIT OF THE BAY, who was second over course and distance last month to the Saeed bin Suroor-trained third reserve Soft Whisper – who would also be of interest if she got in, may go one better in the finale, the Kensington Palace Stakes (Handicap) (Fillies & Mares) (6.10pm).
Wright Ones
ROYAL ASCOT (Day Two)
2.30pm Love Reigns
3.05pm Anchorage (NAP)
3.40pm Bay Bridge
4.20pm Mother Earth
5pm Totally Charming
5.35pm Little Big Bear
6.10pm Spirit Of The Bay
