There may be only one Group 1 race on day two of Royal Ascot, but we have three cracking Group 2 contests to preview before we look at the Prince Of Wales Stakes at 4:20.
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Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes - 5f
The stage is set for the speedy two-year-olds to shine on the biggest stage of them all. With so many of the 25 runners having only their second start, it's hard to tell how much room for improvement each individual has.
However, the one who left a telling impression on her debut is the daughter of Mehmas, Zelaina.
This speedy filly broke well from the stalls on debut and led them a merry dance on the front end. Her rivals couldn't lay up with Zelaina and had them in trouble from a long way out. But what was most impressive was the way she picked up off her high cruising speed to go away to win by over two lengths.
There is no doubt that she will come forward for that experience, and even given her short odds in a race of this nature, Zelaina is bred to be a top-class two-year-old.
- Selection: Zelaina 2/1
- Danger: Society Kiss 10/1
Group 2 Queen's Vase - 1m6f
The Queen's Vase has proven to be a popular stepping stone for further top stayers. The likes of Estimate, Leading Light, Stradivarius, Kew Gardens, and current Gold Cup favourite Illinois have all won this prestigious race before taking the next step in their career.
There isn't a standout candidate who could be the next staying superstar this year, but one who couldn't have started their career any better is Carmers.
The Paddy Twomey-trained colt has already shown quirks before making his racecourse debut and has donned blinkers on both his starts. However, that has not stopped this young stayer from racking up two wins from two starts, including a listed win last time out. Watching back both his races, you can see why he wears blinkers. However, once he is asked for his full effort, he keeps finding and does not duck away from a battle.
It's clear that he's still learning on the job, but given his unexposed profile and lack of questions regarding this distance, it's easy to see him rise to the occasion today. The Aidan O'Brien duo are obvious dangers, but Shackleton can prove the best if he sees out 1m6f.
- Selection: Carmers 6/1
- Danger: Shackleton 10/3
Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes - 1m (Rnd)
A tight Group 2 to solve, where cases can be made for all eight runners. Cinderella's Dream had Elmalka well behind her on her seasonal return, and Elmalka has since gone on to run well enough in the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan last month. She looks like a shell of the filly that won the 1000 Guineas last season and will need to rediscover that form to get close to reversing form with Cinderella's Dream.
The Godolphin filly has every right to be sitting at the head of the betting, but she may have to play a supporting role to last season's Irish 1000 Guineas winner, Fallen Angel. This former classic winner made a satisfactory return to the track this season when finishing sixth to the colts in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
She now gets first-time cheekpieces to help her today, and given that it looks as if she will get an easy time on the lead, this front-runner could skip away from her rivals, turning in under James Doyle.
- Selection: Fallen Angel 7/2
- Danger: Cinderella's Dream 9/4
Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes - 1m2f
This year's renewal of the Prince of Wales's Stakes has the potential to be up there with the best we have seen in recent years. The top two from the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup clash again, then add in the supplemented See The Fire, and we have the ingredients for a race to remember.
See The Fire was a visually taking winner in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York, and she will have this run to suit her closing style. Ombudsman brings another dimension to the race. He lost his unbeaten record at Sandown when finishing second to the impressive Almaqam, but given how he overraced throughout that race, you can upgrade that performance.
Owen Burrows has been confident in the lead-up that his stable star Anmaat can turn the tables, but I see it hard for him to get past Los Angeles.
When Los Angeles clashed with Anmaat at the Curragh, the Shadwell-owned gelding had every chance to go past Los Angeles inside the final furlong. Still, the Ballydoyle runner was having none of it, eventually pulling away in the closing stages to win. Los Angeles is uncomplicated and has improved as a four-year-old, which spells trouble for its rivals here. Should he hit the front inside two furlongs, it will take a monumental effort for one of his rivals to out-battle him in a finish.
- Selection: Los Angeles 9/4
- Danger: See The Fire 6/1
