Today's Prince Of Wales's Stakes looks to be "the race of the season" so far and this fascinating contest can go to Observatory.

Top-class rivals abound in this 10-furlong Group One event. Godolphin run their Emirates World Series champion Fantastic Light, who will have the benefit of Give The Slip acting as a pacemaker, Breeders' Cup Turf winner Kalanisi goes for Sir Michael Stoute and Luca Cumani saddles Endless Hall, successful in last month's Singapore Cup.

Observatory (Richard Hughes) will clearly have his work cut out on his first attempt at the trip but he has the scope to make the improvement needed to land this prize.

He rounded off last season with a thrilling victory over Giant's Causeway in the one-mile Queen Elizabeth II Stakes here in September.

John Gosden's colt reappeared in the Prix d'Ispahan over nine furlongs last month when he once again showed his battling qualities to defeat Hightori a short head.

Whatever the fate of Kalanisi, Stoute has good prospects of a double with Cover Up and Tough Speed. Cover Up has sound claims in the Ascot Stakes judged on his promising effort in the Chester Cup on his reappearance.

He has had plenty to do on the Newmarket gallops recently acting as work companion to subsequent Derby runner-up Golan, and he made Golan pull out all the stops on more than one occasion and he has clearly come on for his run round the Roodee.

Tough Speed can initiate the brace with victory in the Royal Hunt Cup. The four-year-old finished a good second to Soviet Flash in a rated stakes at York on his return to shoot to the head of the betting for the big handicap.

Reel Buddy can return to his winning ways in the opening Jersey Stakes. Following an encouraging third on his seasonal debut Richard Hannon's three year-old showed improved form to win competitive handicaps at Newmarket and Goodwood.

The colt then finished an unlucky third behind Malhub in a Listed event at Newmarket.