Eleven declared for a fascinating Prince of Wales’s Stakes

The Fugue tasted Group 1 success in last year’s Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

A fascinating race, with Al Kazeem and Camelot likely to dominate the betting market, but several others in with solid chances.

Camelot was the three-year-old star last year, but everyone admitted it was a poor year for the Classic generation and although he won the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and English and Irish Derbys, he never really looked a superstar.

Few expected him to lose the Tattersalls Gold Cup in Ireland last time out, however, but the Roger Charlton-trained Al Kazeem beat him fair and square.

He was probably not at full fitness that day with his trainer, Aidan O’Brien, taking his time after the colt nearly died from colic last October.

He will be at full fitness on Wednesday, but it’s still a big ask for him to turn the form around with Al Kazeem who has clearly improved this year and whose connections are quite confident of success.

Neither Al Kazeem nor Camelot are likely to mind the ground whether more rain comes or not, nor will French raider Maxios who definitely has a big chance.

He has very solid, consistent form and should be hard to keep out of the places.

Red Cadeaux is just top-rated in the race, but well though he has run over Wednesday’s mile and a quarter trip in the past, including a fine second to Animal Kingdom in the Dubai World Cup, he has never won over it and always looks better over a mile and a half or more.

Ascot’s stiff track may help, but it’s hard to see him winning.

Saint Baudolino improved steadily last year when in the care of France’s champion trainer, Andre Fabre, easily winning a Group 2 race at Deauville in August.

Now with Saeed bin Suroor, if he is cherry ripe on his first start since February, he would have a definite chance.

Afsare has a bit to find on his first run of the year, but is another to keep a close eye on, especially for the future.

As long as the ground stays on the fast side, The Fugue has to have a first-rate chance.

She had top class form last year, winning the Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes when showing an electric turn of foot.

This is not a race for outsiders. Since it was upgraded to Group 1 status in 2000, the longest-priced winner has been 8-1.

In those 13 runnings, five favourites and four second favourites have been successful.