RACING/Royal Ascot: Moon Ballad should take all the beating on his British reappearance at Royal Ascot today. The Singspiel colt created a huge impression when blowing away his rivals in the Dubai World Cup in March and conditions look right for a similar performance in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.
The Dante winner and Champion Stakes runner-up will relish the quick conditions and, very much like his sire, looks the type to improve with age.
He finished five lengths in front of smart American older horse Harlan's Holiday at Nad Al Sheba and had today's rivals Nayef and Grandera back in third and fourth respectively.
Frankie Dettori has deserted last year's winner Grandera in favour of Moon Ballad and their biggest danger could come from Japan Cup winner Falbrav.
He has continued on the upgrade since joining Luca Cumani and will also love the ground.
Selective has plenty of weight in the Royal Hunt Cup, a handicap which provides one of the betting highlights of the season.
Alec Stewart's charge was narrowly beaten into third at Haydock last time over seven furlongs and he should be well- suited by the return to a mile with the furious pace likely to be in the favour of a horse who travels easily in his races.
He has yet to get his head in front in four starts this term but was only narrowly beaten last time after coming from well off the pace. He is improving all the time and looks sure to run a big race, granted luck in running.
Desert Destiny takes a step down in class in the Jersey Stakes and the move to Group Three level can see him score. David Loder has run the Desert Prince colt in both the French and Irish 2,000 Guineas but on both occasions he failed to really find his form.
Desert Destiny also moves back to seven furlongs here which should suit him better.
Attraction is the pick in the Queen Mary Stakes and she can initiate a double on the opening day for Middleham trainer Mark Johnston. The speedy daughter of Efisio is unbeaten in three starts and she turned the Listed Hilary Needler Trophy into a procession at Beverley last time.
Johnston's Pearl Of Love is bred to be suited by the extra furlong of the Chesham Stakes, a race Johnston took last year with Helm Bank.
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