Alenquer’s form puts him at top of King Edward list

Saturday

Wonderful Tonight can make a successful seasonal return in Saturday’s Hardwicke Stakes (3.40) at Royal Ascot.

David Menuisier’s filly made big strides last season and, after landing a Group 1 at Longchamp in October, she followed up over Saturday’s course and distance at Ascot on Champions Day a fortnight later.

Soft or testing ground brings out the best in her and with weather later in the week unpredictable she could find underfoot conditions to suit.

Glen Shiel is favoured by the figures in the Diamond Jubilee (4.20).

Beaten in a handicap here 12 months ago, he ran a blinder to chase home Dream Of Dreams in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock in September and then gained deserved compensation in the Qipco British Champion Sprint over Saturday’s trip and track the following month with his Haydock conqueror back in fourth.

He had a pipe-opener at the Curragh a month ago and ease in the ground will be in his favour.

Friday

George Boughey is having a remarkable campaign overall, more so with his youngsters, ad may continue to make hay if

Oscura fulfils expectations in the Albany Stakes (2.30).

Never headed at Brighton in May, she followed up in the Woodcote at Epsom earlier this month and a hat-trick could be in the offing.

Alenquer can make it three wins from four starts in the King Edward VII Stakes (3.05).

A smooth winner on his Newbury debut in August he then found Fancy Man too good at Haydock the following month. Trained by William Haggas he claimed the scalp of subsequent Derby winner Adayar on his Sandown return in April and on that evidence is clearly the one to beat.

Campanelle may be another Royal Ascot winner for Wesley Ward in the Commonwealth Cup (3.40).

The American filly landed the Queen Mary in fine style here 12 months ago and followed up in the Prix Morny at Deauville in August.

She was a well beaten fourth over a mile at Keenland in November but the return to sprinting should play to her strengths.

Pretty Gorgeous may recoup recent Curragh losses in the Coronation Stakes (4.20).

A model of consistency last year when she had some memorable battles with Shale, she signed off with success in the Fillies Mile at Newmarket earning career best speed figures in the process.

Not beaten far when seventh behind Empress Josephine on her reappearance in the Irish 1,000 Guineas she tired in the closing stages on testing ground and will be match fit on Friday and can turn the tables.

Thursday

Trust Trueshan to turn up trumps in the Gold Cup (4.15).

Trained by Alan King, he has made steady progress through the ranks and confirmed he was ready to dine at the top table when landing the Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October.

Always travelling well the five-year-old relished the step up to two miles and forged well clear for a resounding triumph in a truly run race. He was a pleasing second behind Japan in the Ormonde at Chester on his reappearance and deserves the utmost respect.

Stradivarius has made this prestigious race his own in recent years and bids for a fourth consecutive success in the contest. He looked better than ever in last year’s renewal an although well beaten by Trueshan here in October the John Gosden trained super stayer had run in the Arc just two weeks earlier. He underlined his wellbeing with a smooth win here recently and will not easily relinquish his crown.

Project Dante can make a big impact in the Norfolk Stakes (2.30). In the care of Bryan Smart, the youngster was a narrow but decisive scorer on his debut at York in May recording a decent time in the process. The next three home have all won since to give the performance some substance. He obviously has more to do in the Group 2 event but both hands of the clock point to his chances.