Royal Ascot: A Shin Hikari’s plunder of Europe set to continue

A Shin Hikari is not the most original choice for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes but he certainly appears the one to beat in the feature event on day two of Royal Ascot

The five-year-old won eight of his 10 starts in Japan before announcing his arrival on the international scene with a wire-to-wire success in the Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin in December.

Sent off a 25/1 shot that day, Yutaka Take had him promptly away and the son of Deep Impact preceded to set a decent pace which he held right to the line, beating fellow Japanese raider Nuovo Record by a length.

Connections immediately began to plan a European challenge with the Masanori Sakaguchi-trained horse taking up residence in France ahead of his debut in the Prix d’Ispahan at Chantilly last month, where, without really having to hit top gear, he won by an impressive 10 lengths.

That win came on heavy ground, so soft conditions in Berkshire hold little fear.

Devonshire will relish the testing terrain and can find the necessary improvement to triumph in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.

She looked to be outstayed on her reappearance at the Curragh in March but she likely just needed that run as she made no mistake in landing a Curragh Group Two with plenty of cut underfoot last time.

Her trainer Willie McCreery must be thrilled by the prospect of soft ground and Devonshire is fancied to spring a surprise against one or two better-fancied rivals.

Ibn Malik is another who should excel in the conditions in the Jersey Stakes.

Beaten just three-quarters of a length by subsequent Guineas hero Galileo Gold at Goodwood last summer, Ibn Malik then ran Emotionless to three and a half lengths at Doncaster before rounding off his year in the Autumn Stakes, where he was beaten by the reopposing Gifted Master.

Portage is worth supporting in the Royal Hunt Cup after scoring on his return at the Curragh at the start of the month.