Features / Andrew Jackson / 17 June 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Timeform share their perspecitve entries on the Group 1 contest...

"Byword's effort the lowest there's been from a Prince of Wales's Stakes winner in recent years in fact."

A Group 1 that lacked any real star quality, as it did in 2009, Byword's effort the lowest there's been from a Prince of Wales's Stakes winner in recent years in fact; the bare form is messy, too, the finish bunched (first eight separated by less than five lengths) after Tazeez had dictated just a modest pace, with those held up at a disadvantage, Twice Over doing much the best of them.

Byword confirmed the high-class effort he produced behind Goldikova in France the time before, and his strike rate (five wins from eight starts) is indicative of a good attitude, but there was a certain amount of opportunism about his first Group 1 win, leaving him with something still to prove at this level, not only well positioned (always in touch) but also suited by the relative of speed, bearing in mind his effectiveness at shorter trips, though on the flip side he's still not had a great deal of racing; his getting warm beforehand clearly had no adverse effect in the race itself.

Twice Over confirmed that he retains all of his ability, having had another break since Meydan, shaping well on the day in finishing as close as he did given the way things were run, almost last turning in and also briefly short of room when starting his effort, closing all the while but out of time; he's likely to be aimed for a repeat bid in the Champion Stakes at the backend, but before then he'll presumably go for the Eclipse and he looks a better horse now than when only seventh last year.

Tazeez has bounced back from a couple of below-par efforts, better than ever to be placed in this Group 1, though it is slightly flattering, getting the run of things from the front.

Stimulation 's proximity underlines the messy nature of the race to some extent, unproven even at a mile before this, so well suited by the relative speed test, strongest at the finish from mid-pack; he is full value for this, though, capable of better still in 2008 after all, and the problems he had last term are perhaps just behind him.

Wiener Walzer got closer to the winner than on his reappearance, not too far below his best this time, and, whilst well placed as it went, the modest pace was against him, unable to cope when it quickened, his ideal trip probably twelve furlongs.

Glass Harmonium gave hope he's still improving, not far below form despite having things go against him, held up and worst affected by the crowding around 2f out, at no stage able to open up fully; it's worth reaffirming that twelve furlongs will suit him well.

Debussy wasn't quite in the same form as at Chester, though not discredited, either, albeit with a smoother run than most, quickening to briefly challenge in the penultimate furlong.
Shalanaya is best judged on previous efforts, poorly placed as this went and not unduly knocked about.

Presvis has had a fairly intensive campaign already, this his sixth race of the year, and he may just be ready for a break, leaving that impression with a laboured performance.

Mawatheeq developed fast in 2009, pushing Twice Over close in the Champion Stakes when last seen in October and, though he's had injury troubles since (reported in February to have sustained a minor fissure to a fetlock joint), he should be closer to form next time, caught wide towards the back and at no stage knocked about.

Allybar progressed well in Dubai (on tapeta) earlier in the year, a very close-third in the World Cup in late-March, but his turf form is well below that, only just smart, and he made no impression here.

Cavalryman should bounce back, reliable on the whole and shaping well at Epsom, and this may have come too soon after, folding tamely.

Tags: Byword, Royal Ascot races, Twice Over