Jack Hobbs has class to bat away rivals in Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot

Ready for action: William Buick puts Jack Hobbs through his paces at Ascot ahead of Wednesday's Prince Of Wales’s Stakes
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Jonathan Hunn20 June 2017

Naming racehorses after famous cricketers usually meets with disappointment — for instance the two equine versions of Botham were both of limited ability — but Jack Hobbs looks an exception to the rule and he can win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (4.20) on day two of Royal Ascot tomorrow.

The £750,000 feature is the most valuable race run at the five-day meeting, although Jack Hobbs has already more than done his bit for his owners by winning on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan in March.

First prize for that was almost £3 million and the emphatic manner of the victory will not make him any less attractive when he is (probably) retired to the breeding sheds at the end of this year.

John Gosden’s imposing five-year-old was much too good at Meydan and, while a drop in trip and quicker ground are not ideal for the 2015 Derby runner-up, he still looks the most solid proposition. On his final start last season he was a fine third behind Almanzor and Found in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day despite being absent since hurting his pelvis in the spring.

The opposition includes Highland Reel and Ulysses, a fluent winner on his return at Sandown, but Jack Hobbs should bat them to one side if he is in the same kind of form as last time.

It could be a day to savour for Gosden because he also has Daban in the Jersey Stakes (2.30) and Gymnaste in the Sandringham Handicap (5.35).

Daban was having just her third run when an excellent third behind Winter and Rhododendron in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month. She should be hard to beat in this lesser grade, dropping to 7f.

Gymnaste is unexposed and looked unfortunate not to win at Kempton last time. She can emulate Persuasive, who won the Sandringham for Gosden and owners Cheveley Park last year.

In Pictures | Royal Ascot by Racing Post photographer Edward Whitaker

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Godolphin have two classy candidates for the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (3.40) in Usherette and Laugh Aloud but preference is for Qemah, a dual Group One winner. Qemah was a striking winner of the Coronation Stakes last year and should not be judged too harshly on her below-par comeback run at Lingfield as she was said to be short of work and the race unfolded against her.

American trainer Wesley Ward runs several leading fancies at Royal Ascot today but, regardless of how they fare, it will be disappointing if Happy Like A Fool does win for him in the Queen Mary Stakes (3.05). Ward has won the five-furlong contest for two-year-old fillies with Jealous Again, Acapulco and Lady Aurelia since 2009 and Happy Like A Fool, a runaway winner on her debut at Keeneland, can follow suit.

The Royal Hunt Cup (5.00) is one of the week’s toughest puzzles but Early Morning has shown a liking for the track and should be spot on after finishing second on his return at Haydock. At 25-1, he makes each-way appeal.

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