Charlie Appleby's leading hope in the Group One Prince Of Wales's Stakes on the second day of Royal Ascot 2023, Adayar is said to be in fine form ahead of taking on what looks one of the best fields ever produced in the race.
A superstar as a three year old when landing the Epsom Derby, Grade One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and he placed fourth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Having picked up an injury setback last term he was only seem on two occasions, winning a Conditions Stakes at Doncaster in September and then he finished a superb 1/2 length second to Bay Bridge in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.
Having showed versatility at both 1m4f and 1m2f, the latter distance looks to be where he is at his best and he showed that on seasonal debut this term when landing the Group Three Gordon Richards Stakes at Newmarket.
He went on to beat Anmaat comfortably that day and the Owen Burrows trained horse has since gone to France and franked the form in Group One company.
Adayar has been saved for Royal Ascot since that victory on the Rowley Mile and his trainer is very optimistic of his chances on Wednesday at the Berkshire track off the back of his preparation.
Back in business! 💥
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 7, 2023
Adayar, the 2021 Derby winner, makes a terrific seasonal debut in the Gordon Richards Stakes @NewmarketRace
Much to look forward to for @godolphin pic.twitter.com/KnFCmjeX3I
(Credit ATR) “It was a nice, pleasing piece of work. He is there now and we didn’t want to be doing anything too strong with him,” said Appleby.
“You could see his enthusiasm in dragging William to his lead horse there and he went through the line well and had his ears pricked. I think it is a great experience for these horses and we are lucky to be able to do it.
“A week out we just want them to come up and enjoy themselves.
“He goes into the Prince of Wales’s as near-favourite or joint-favourite and deservedly so on what we saw at the Guineas meeting. He has come forward for that first run.“Hopefully we can get our rewards, more so for him, for staying in training."
He added on the prospect of an unsettled weather forecast: “We all want decent ground, but the one thing he has up his sleeve is that he can handle soft ground. I wouldn’t say he is better on soft ground by any stretch of the imagination, but he handles it.
“Any of these Group One races are hard to win. If you think you are worried about just Luxembourg or Bay Bridge then more fool you. Whoever turns up you respect them all, but I’m just delighted with how our horse is going into the race.”