Royal Ascot 2024 live: Day two race updates including Prince of Wales’s Stakes

The feature race of day two is the Prince of Wales’s Stakes where the battle is expected to be between Auguste Rodin and Inspiral.

It’s last year’s Epsom Derby winner up (Auguste Rodin) up against a winner of six Group 1 races. In normal circumstances you’d expect the Derby winner to be the hottest of red-hot favourites. But there’s a reason he’s 7/4 and that’s because three of his last eight runs have been nightmares. Which is why many are looking to back the mare Inspiral (4/1). She’s run well at Royal Ascot before over a miles and the 1m2f race may well suit her down to the ground.

There is a bit of noise around the French challengers Horizon Dore and Blue Rose Cen, the former of which has been described as a ‘Group 1 winner in waiting’. Will this be his day? We’ll find out at 4.25 in what could be a race to remember.

One thing for sure is that connections of Inspiral think this could be her day.

Richardson, managing director of owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: “It will be exciting to see how she does. I think she’s ready to step up [from a mile], that is the indication [trainer] John [Gosden] has got from her work this spring.

“It’s obviously a very good race and Auguste Rodin is there as a worthy favourite.

“Like Inspiral he was impressive at the Breeders’ Cup, although I know he was beaten by White Birch last time in Ireland.

“It’ll be an exciting race full of class horses.”

Regarding the conditions nothing has changed overnight from the opening day. The going remains good-to-firm, 4mm of water went onto the course overnight to maintain the ground, and the forecast is for another dry day.

Stay here for all the action with the day set to get under way at 2.30 with the Queen Mary Stakes.