3 minute read
The first four home from last year's King's Stand Stakes will all do battle once more at Royal Ascot on Tuesday after final declarations for the five-furlong contest.
Eddie Lynam's Sole Power will have Richard Hughes on his back for the first time, with last season's winning jockey Johnny Murtagh no longer riding.
Mike de Kock's Shea Shea is back again with Christophe Soumillon in the plate, Pearl Secret has Olivier Peslier on board and Jack Dexter also returns.
The favourite, however, is Kevin Ryan's three-year-old Hot Streak, an impressive winner of the Temple Stakes under Oisin Murphy last time out.
Jamie Spencer was riding in Ireland that day but takes over once more in his role as retained jockey for Qatar Racing.
Adding to the international flavour of the race is the Joan Scott-trained American raider Ancil, who arrived in Newmarket late last week but looks up against it on recent form.
James Doyle will be in the plate, Adrian Beaumont of the International Racing Bureau having tweeted: "Joel Rosario having visa issues so delighted to be able to book @the_doyler to ride Ancil in King's Stand Stakes. Lucky to get him."
Ryan Moore rides the three-year-old Guerre for Aidan O'Brien as Joseph O'Brien is unable to get down to the weight of 8st 12lb.
William Haggas has booked Frankie Dettori for Rex Imperator, last year's Stewards' Cup winner, Kieren Fallon retains his partnership with Roger Varian's Steps and Clive Cox runs Es Que Love in this rather than the Diamond Jubilee on Saturday.
Ahtoug, Medicean Man and Stepper Point are also among the 17-strong field.