Prince of Wales's Stakes: Timeform's expert verdict

Prince of Wales's Stakes
16:20 Ascot, Wednesday
Live on ITV

1. Adayar (Charlie Appleby/ William Buick)
Derby and King George winner in 2021 who was seen just twice last year, going down narrowly to Bay Bridge in the Champion Stakes over this course and distance on the second occasion. He made a comfortable winning return in the rearranged Gordon Richards Stakes at Newmarket last month and can make a bold bid here.

2. Bay Bridge (Sir Michael Stoute/ Richard Kingscote)
Went unbeaten through his three-year-old campaign and developed into a high-class performer last season, notably finishing runner-up in this race and winning the Champion Stakes also over course and distance. He stepped up on his reappearance effort when second to Luxembourg in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and any rain would help his chances.

3. Classic Causeway (Kenneth McPeek/ Julien Leparoux)
Won the Belmont Derby last summer on his second start for this trainer, getting the better of Nations Pride, but hasn't got his head in front again since. Was only a respectable fourth of six in the Grade 3 Arlington Stakes at Churchill Downs last time and he looks to be up against it here.

4. Luxembourg (Aidan O'Brien/ Ryan Moore)
Was below his best on his reappearance but left that effort behind when recording a third success at the top level (one in each season to date) in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last month, making the running and proving very willing to see off the challenge of Bay Bridge. Can add another Group 1 victory to his tally.

5. Mostahdaf (John & Thady Gosden/ Jim Crowley)
Won a pair of Group 3s in 2022 but found testing conditions too much in the Arc on his final start of the year. Bounced back to his best with an emphatic success in the Group 3 Neom Turf Cup at King Abdulaziz in Saudi Arabia in February, though wasn't quite in the same form when fourth in the Dubai Sheema Classic the following month.

6. My Prospero (William Haggas/ Tom Marquand)
Won his first two starts last season before finishing third in the St James's Palace at this meeting. Benefited from the step up to a mile and a quarter afterwards, winning a Group 2 in France before finishing a fine third in the Champion Stakes. Made an encouraging reappearance in the Lockinge over a mile and the return to this trip will suit.