Charlie Appleby has options for Masar return date

Masar wins the Investec Derby at Epsom Downs Racecourse. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Charlie Appleby is hoping to run Investec Derby hero Masar in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Newmarket handler his keen to try the son of New Approach, who has been sidelined since sustaining a setback after his victory in the Epsom Classic, over a mile and a quarter for the first time in the Group One contest, which forms part if the QIPCO British Champions Middle Distance category.

Although aiming to get Masar – who also holds an entry in the Hardwicke Stakes – back on track at the Royal Meeting, Appleby has a contingency plan in place should he fail to be ready in time.

He said on Tuesday: “He is cantering away and I’m very pleased with him. We have made the entries for Royal Ascot in the Prince of Wales’s and the Hardwicke. It is a day by day situation with him and as of today we are on target.

“He is a horse that helps himself in potentially getting to Ascot as he is an athlete. He is a very clean-winded horse. On the work we have done with him, personally we might just be a bit tight.

“William (Buick) and I spoke about it this morning in the car when we watched second lot. We personally feel the mile and a quarter will be the right starting point for him. It’s a trip we’ve not explored, but potentially he shows it to be the right spot to start him off.

“His Highness (Sheikh Mohammed) was here last week and we all agreed if he comes in time then great, we will be there for sure, but if it means we are a gallop or two (short) going into Ascot then we will wait.

“If he doesn’t happen to hit that target then the likely target will be the Princess of Wales’s back at the July meeting at Newmarket.”