WILD BLOSSOM looks a classic pacey Karl Burke-trained juvenile, who has been responsible for two of the previous four winners of this race. The daughter of Mehmas may have only beaten three rivals on her debut at Carlisle, but it was the impressive manner of the success, which hugely caught the eye. She is held in high regard by connections, and her high-class stablemate Venetian Sun won the Albany at Ascot last year, after taking the same Carlisle race. It is obviously an extremely hot contest, with an abundance of unexposed types, but the selection is certainly one of the more exciting runners in this year’s renewals.

LIMESTONE arrives, now chasing a fourth straight victory, following an impressive Listed win at Navan last month. The New Bay colt was urged along entering the final furlong, but he seemed to absolutely relish the 1m5f that day - winning with something to spare. He interestingly holds an Irish Derby entry, which cements how highly connections may rate him. I believe he has further success ahead of him, and could find improvement over this extra furlong, under a jockey who continues to deliver on the big stages.

In what appears to prove to be a thoroughly competitive G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, I’m pinning my hopes on CATHEDRAL reaching the placings. The Too Darn Hot filly has only won once from 10 outings, but she has run creditably in four Group/Grade One races - including an excellent 4th in the G1 Coronation Stakes over 1m2f at this fixture last season. At this lower level, I think she has been underestimated in the betting, with a recent Newmarket 2nd in a Group Two a solid preparation race for this assignment. Catalina Delcarpio is a progressive filly, who demands each-way respect, too.

The 2025 G1 Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe hero, DARYZ, is the standout selection in this mouthwatering renewal of this prestigious prize. Ombudsman scored by two lengths in this race last term, but he meets a different calibre of opposition here, in my opinion. The Selection has easily landed back-to-back Group One races at Longchamp, over shorter distances than his most celebrated success over 1m4f. That proves his versatility, and I firmly believe he has a smart turn of foot, which can be utilised here. There are also a couple of pacemakers, which ought to make this a true pace to aim at. 

The Godolphin-owned FIFTH COLUMN is a household name in notable handicaps, including at this Royal Meeting. In fact, the son of Kingman has scooped a trio of mile prizes at this excellent standard. He also ran a fine seventh at this fixture last season - faring best of those on the far side of the track. Despite a lofty official rating of 102. A runner-up position at Newmarket last-time-out ought to set him up nicely for this assignment, too. La Botte was an agonising 2nd for us in the Britannia last year, and he holds obvious claims of running a huge race.

ZGHARTA is capable of bouncing back from a somewhat tame performance, in a track and trip handicap last month. The Andrew Balding-trained runner was caught too far back that day, where it paid to sit handy, and it may prove to be a blessing in disguise, as she has been dropped a pound in the weights subsequently. She has only raced eight times, so is relatively lightly-raced, and she brings potential for progress back at this venue (fair seventh at this meeting in 2025). Quamby is another to keep on the right side of, at a huge price.

As ever, this season’s Listed Windsor Castle Stakes is a wide-open contest, with every candidate completely unexposed. ONE NUMBER is one of a plethora of potential improvers, from a promising first effort. The $140,000 breeze-up purchase was a real eyecatcher debuting at Curragh - finishing powerful, when seemingly learning on the job that day. With that fine run under his belt, he is likely to find significant improvement, especially on the forecast quick surface (US dirt-bred).