Royal Ascot: Passenger Ruled Out Of Prince Of Wales’s Stakes
2 minutes The betting for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot has been thrown wide-open after it was confirmed that illness will prevent Huxley Stakes winner and strong antepost favourite Passenger featuring in next Wednesday’s feature race
The betting for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot has been thrown wide-open after it was confirmed that illness will prevent Huxley Stakes winner and strong antepost favourite Passenger featuring in next Wednesday’s feature race.
Following Passenger's withdrawal, Auguste Rodin was cut to 7/4 (from 3/1) to secure his first victory of 2024. Auguste Rodin won the Derby, Irish Derby and Irish Champion Stakes last year and showed signs of rediscovering that form last time out at the Curragh. After finishing last of 12 in the Dubai Sheema Classic, Auguste Rodin finished second to White Birch in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last month.
White Birch is now the 11/4 second favourite to maintain his winning start to 2024. His Tattersalls Gold Cup triumph rounded off a hat-trick of Group race wins at the Curragh this year following wins in both the Alleged Stakes and Mooresbridge Stakes.
French contender Horizon Dore has also gained support, having narrowly lost to Mqse De Sevigne in the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp last month. Connections have earmarked either Ascot or the Coral-Eclipse for Horizon Dore, depending on his recovery.
Pauline Chehboub of Gousserie Racing confirmed:
"The Prince of Wales's Stakes is the goal for Horizon Dore, and he will compete in that race. We will also have Classic Flower in the Commonwealth Cup at Ascot."
Coral spokesperson David Stevens noted:
Auguste Rodin has received strong backing for the Prince of Wales's, with Horizon Dore and Alflaila also attracting support."
Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Odds
(courtesy of Coral)
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Auguste Rodin | 7/4 |
| White Birch | 11/4 |
| Horizon Dore, Inspiral | 8/1 |
| Alflaila, Luxembourg | 10/1 |
| Zarir | 12/1 |
| Blue Rose Cen, Continuous | 16/1 |
Where Next For Passenger?
Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the son of Ulysses had been the 2/1 market leader for the £1 million day-two feature. However, he is now more likely to compete in next month's Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.
Alan Cooper, racing manager for the Niarchos family, explained:
"Passenger is being treated for an infection, and veterinary advice indicates that Ascot will come too soon. The timing is far from ideal, but we hope to aim for the Eclipse instead."
If Passenger does enter the Coral-Eclipse Stakes next month he could be on a collision course with Derby winner City Of Troy. Aidan O’Brien’s star three-year-old is the bookies’ odds-on favourite for the Eclipse at 10/11 whilst Passenger is priced at 5/1.
Coral-Eclipse Stakes Odds
(courtesy of Coral)
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| City Of Troy | 10/1 |
| Passenger | 5/1 |
| Economics | 6/1 |
| Auguste Rodin | 7/1 |
| Luxembourg, White Birch | 8/1 |
| Alflaila | 10/1 |
| Emily Upjohn, Inspiral | 12/1 |
