The aura of Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) hovered over Berkshire for a second day of the Royal Ascot meeting Wednesday, one day after the brilliant miler delivered the first winning stroke to open up the five-day stand.

Byword had the last word in the Prince of Wales's (Frank Sorge/Horsephotos.com)

The hero on Day 2 of England’s most prestigious fixture was BYWORD (Peintre Celebre), a victim of Goldikova in the May 23 Prix d’Ispahan (Fr-G1), who held off fellow Prince Khalid Abdulla-colorbearer Twice Over (Observatory) by a half-length in notching the £450,000 Prince of Wales’s S. (Eng-G1) over 1 1/4 miles. The four-year-old homebred, conditioned in France by Andre Fabre, covered the distance in 2:05.35 over a course rated good-to-firm, good in places.

Like several of the favored winners the previous day, Byword, the 5-2 choice, enjoyed an ideal trip throughout. Tracking in fourth under Maxime Guyon, Byword was always in position to pounce when called upon, rating behind 40-1 pacesetter Tazeez (Silver Hawk), who was followed closely by German invader Wiener Walzar (Dynaformer) and Debussy (Diesis [GB]). Shifted off the inside entering the straight, Byword was forced a little wide by a couple rivals but maintained his momentum inside the final quarter-mile. Finally getting past a determined Tazeez, Byword held on gamely as Twice Over, near the back for much of the running, uncorked his rally too late. The 11-2 second choice Twice Over, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) third-placer, had three parts of a length on Tazeez at the finish.

Byword, who did not debut until June of last year, placed fourth in both Group outings last season, but has made great strides this term. After prevailing in a listed event at Maisons-Laffitte on April 8, the chestnut ran Goldikova to a half-length in the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp, admittedly at a distance slightly beyond the mare’s best.

“I knew he had the ability to win and I was impressed by the ride as I was fearful he could get boxed in,” Fabre revealed. “He has matured. He wasn’t trained much at three because he had a virus and now he is really coming to himself.

“You could call him a revelation as his form as a three-year-old was not at that level, but we have always though he is a really good horse.”

This initial Group 1 triumph follows closely on the success at the highest level of Byword’s half-sister Proviso (GB) (Dansili [GB]), a multiple Group 3 winner in France who has captured the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) and Just a Game S. (G1) in her two turf outings this season. For the time being, Fabre intends to keep Byword at distances dominated by his sibling in America.

“He is a horse that can go for the big mile races; he won’t go farther than 10 furlongs,” Fabre said. “Maybe something like the Prix Jacques le Marois (Fr-G1) next.

“I am not sure he can stay further and although the (Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe [Fr-G1]) is a long way off it has to be a doubt. He needs good ground, too, and is unlikely to get that in Paris in October.”

The effort by Twice Over, last year’s Champion S. (Eng-G1) winner who finished 10th, beaten three lengths, in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) in his most recent outing, satisfied trainer Henry Cecil despite the troubled trip.

“He got blocked in and couldn’t get out, and then he was too far back,” Cecil said. “He ran a super race but it wasn’t enough. I hope we’ll go to the Champion S., but that’s up to the Prince.”

Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore, the trainer-jockey combo successful with Abdulla’s Workforce (King’s Best) in the Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) two weeks ago, tasted Royal success in the £125,000 Windsor Forest S. (Eng-G2) when their gray filly STRAWBERRYDAIQUIRI (Dansili [GB]) prevailed over defending champion Spacious (Nayef) in a head-to-head battle that lasted more than a quarter-mile. Neither giving an inch to the other through the long stretch, Strawberrydaiquiri eventually pipped Spacious by a short head while completing the straight mile in 1:38.04. Antara (Platini), the 7-2 favorite, was three lengths farther back in third.

The Windsor Forest was the sixth win in the eight-race career of Strawberrydaiquiri, a three-time listed winner who notched her first pattern victory by a similar margin in the May 2 Dahlia S. (Eng-G3) at Newmarket, where Spacious was fourth lengths third.

Moore achieved his first victory of the Royal meeting in the opening £80,000 Jersey S. (Eng-G3), guiding the Mark Johnston-trained filly RAINFALL (Oasis Dream [GB]) over an otherwise all-male cast to a head decision over the determined early pacesetter Red Jazz (Johannesburg). The seven-furlong dash for three-year-olds was completed in 1:24.94.

A veteran of only two previous starts, Rainfall had won her debut May 1 at Thirsk by six lengths before bowing by less than a length in a listed event at Sandown May 29.

The first significant event of the meeting for two-year-old fillies, the £90,000 Queen Mary S. (Eng-G2), went to 9-4 favorite MAQAASID (Green Desert) for trainer John Gosden and jockey Richard Hills. The strong choice off a half-length debut score at Sandown, Maqaasid registered a neck decision over 7-2 chance Meow (Storm Cat) in a time of :59.17 for five furlongs.

“Her obvious aim is the Cheveley Park (S. [Eng-G1]) and she’ll tell me if she needs to run in between then,” Gosden said.

Maqaasid counts as a fourth dam the English champion juvenile filly Height of Fashion (Fr) (Bustino), who produced standouts such as dual classic winner Nashwan (Blushing Groom [Fr]) and English highweight Nayef (Gulch). She is also the ancestress of U.S. champion turf mare Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) and English classic winner Ghanaati (Giant’s Causeway).

Maqaasid also hails from the family of Grade 1 winner Ask (GB) (Sadler’s Wells), who holds entry in Thursday’s Gold Cup (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot, as well as Japanese superstar Deep Impact (Sunday Silence). Both descend from Maqaasid’s fifth dam, the dual classic-winning Highclere (GB) (Queen’s Hussar).

TIMEPIECE (Zamindar), an early favorite for the Epsom Oaks (Eng-G1) prior to a second-place effort in the Lingfield Oaks Trial, rebounded from her ninth in the June 4 classic at Epsom with a 1 1/4-length triumph in the £50,000 Sandringham H. A consolation prize for Cecil and jockey Tom Queally following Twice Over’s earlier defeat, the Abdulla homebred completed the straight mile in 1:38.53.

Godolphin registered its first Royal Ascot success with INVISIBLE MAN (Elusive Quality) in the £100,000 Royal Hunt Cup, annually one of the best betting races of the Royal meeting. Conditioned by Saeed bin Suroor and ridden by Frankie Dettori, Invisible Man prevailed by a half-length in a time of 1:37.16 for the straight mile. One of the most noted handicaps of the English flat season, the Royal Hunt Cup featured 29 runners.

Henry Cecil’s Twice Over disappointed in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan last time when 10th of the 14 runners, with Mahmood Al Zarooni’s Allybar finishing a highly creditable third.

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The Champion Stakes winner from last season is better than he showed that day so cannot be discounted although more solid claims are probably held the selection, BYWORD. Andre Fabre’s colt was only beaten half-a-length by Goldikova in the Group 1 Prix D’Ispahan at Longchamp last month and he can give his handler another winner in the top grade.

Saeed Bin Suroor’s Cavalryman looks best watched following his defeat behind Fame And Glory in the Coronation Cup last time although he may do better over the shorter trip today, while Luca Cumani’s Presvis has not been at his best in recent starts and looks best watched at present.

Sir Michael Stoute’s Glass Harmonium is closely matched with Tazeez on running at Sandown last month and both have claims but a bigger threat is likely to come from Mawatheeq. Marcus Tregoning’s colt lacks a run this term but he showed progressive form last season and is closely matched with Twice Over on running in the Champion. Prix Ganay second Shalanaya is another to consider but it is another French challenger, Byword that looks the one they all have to beat.

Nick Wilby takes a look at Wednesday’s Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

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Wednesday’s feature race looks set to be an absolute thriller and there is plenty of form from all around the world on offer.  French raider Byword (3/1, Ladbrokes) heads the betting for the race at 3/1 and she brings some serious form to the table judged on her second behind Goldikova in the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp earlier in the season.  She is sure to be popular, though it is worth remembering that her performance behind the Queen Anne Stakes winner was by some way the best of her career and it would be interesting to hear how wound up Goldikova actually was on her first start of the season.

Interestingly, Mawatheeq (13/2, William Hill) would probably be the selection if it weren’t for his trainer’s warnings over the fitness of the horse and after having my fingers burnt by Rip Van Winkle on Tuesday, I have been put off by the claims of Marcus Tregoning’s lightly raced Champion Stakes runner-up.

Instead it seems to make more sense to go for the horse that beat Mawatheeq at Newmarket in October and side with TWICE OVER (5/1, Stan James) who will not be in need of a run after a below-par effort in the Dubai World Cup in March.  That was Henry Cecil’s superstar’s first run since his very creditable defeat at the hands of Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and he heads to Ascot with upbeat gallop reports behind him.  Never really in the race in Dubai, he is sure to be raring to go on Wednesday and a performance similar to the one he gave at Santa Anita should ensure he is there of thereabouts.

Presvis (9/1, William Hill) could be in the thick of things, though he isn’t one to be placing any trust in, and Cavalryman (12/1, Stan James) is very interesting down in trip after three average starts for his new yard.

Nick Wilby’s selection – TWICE OVER (5/1, Stan James)

Dubai: It’s nothing short of top drawer action on day two at this year’s Royal Ascot festival, with the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes heading an afternoon of mouth-watering contests.

Racegoers sport themed racing hats at the Royal Ascot meeting. Colourful themed hats are an integral part of this prestigious annual horse racing event in England. Image Credit: AP

As always the Dubai-owned Godolphin stable toss some key performers into the fray and are represented in today’s renewal of the prestigious event by Dubai World Cup third Allybar and recent Coronation Cup runner-up Cavalryman.

They are joined by three other horses with Dubai interests — Mawatheeq and Tazeer, owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance; and Debussy, who carries the colours of Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

A total of 12 runners are expected to face the starter including French raider Byword who was only beaten half-a-length by dual Breeders’ Cup winner Goldikova in the Group 1 Prix D’Ispahan at Longchamp last month.

Byword is certain to start favourite and looks the one the will all have to beat.

But Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Surour, who has been successful in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes four times in the past with Grandera (2002), Fantastic Light (2001), Dubai Millennium (2000) and Faithful Son (1998), is confident of good show from Cavalryman.

“He is in good form at the moment… I have been pleased with his preparation for Royal Ascot,” he said on the Godolphin website. “I am hopeful that he can run well.”

Commenting on Allybar’s chances the second Godolphin trainer Mahmoud Al Zarouni said: “Allybar looks fit and healthy and goes to Ascot with a chance.”

Frankie Dettori takes the ride on Cavalryman while Ahmad Ajtebi partners Allybar. Other noteworthy runners include Group 1 Emirates Airline Champion Stakes winner Twice Over and Hong Kong-scorer Presvis.

Cavalryman and Allybar will be leading the charge for Godolphin at Royal Ascot today.

Frankie Dettori will ride Cavalryman in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot today. John Sibley / Action Images

Both are running in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and the race will be Cavalryman’s third consecutive appearance in Group One company, having been fifth in the 12-furlong Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs on June 4.

Saeed bin Suroor, his trainer, said: “Cavalryman is in good form at the moment. The Coronation Cup was his first start of his European campaign and he ran a good race on his first appearance since Dubai.”

The four-year-old colt was also fifth over the same distance in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan Racecourse on March 27.

“He came out of that run in good heart and I have been pleased with his preparation for Royal Ascot,” bin Suroor said.

“Dropping back to a stiff 10 furlongs should suit him and I am hopeful that he can run well.”

Allybar is making his British debut after posting a career-best performance to be a close third in the world’s richest race, the Group One Dubai World Cup over 10 furlongs at Meydan on March 27.

He was beaten there by a nose and a short-head by Gloria De Campeao and Lizard’s Desire.

The four-year-old, representing Mahmood al Zarooni, started the year with two impressive victories on the Tapeta of Meydan.

Al Zarooni said: “Allybar looks fit and healthy.

“His run in the Dubai World Cup was his best to date and the only thing against him is that he hasn’t had a run before this race.

“He will be fine with 10 furlongs and it will be interesting to see how he gets on at Ascot.

“He is in good form and he goes to Ascot with a chance.”

Frankie Dettori takes the ride on Cavalryman, while Ahmed Ajtebi is the jockey for Allybar.

Two other bin Suroor charges, Antara and Aspectoflove, are scheduled to race each other today for a second successive time in the Group Two Windsor Forest Stakes.

The pair contested the Group Three Princess Elizabeth Stakes over an extended mile at Epsom on June 5.

Antara quickened well to win by a neck over Reggane and Aspectoflove stayed on to place fifth.

Frankie Dettori takes the ride on Antara in the mile race with Ted Durcan in the saddle on Aspectoflove.

Bin Suroor said: “I was pleased with the way Antara won at Epsom Downs and she has come out of the run in good form. I think that a mile at Ascot will be no problem for her and she deserves to take the step up to Group Two company.

“I am looking forward to seeing her run a good race.

“Aspectoflove was a little disappointing in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes but she was staying on at the end and she has been working well recently.”

Godolphin’s Shakespearean bids to improve on his already impressive strike-rate in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The three-year-old has won four of his seven career starts and was one of the most impressive winners at the recent Derby meeting at Epsom.

“He is taking a step up in class but I think the distance suits him well,” bin Suroor told goldophin.com.
“He is a big horse but I think that a stiff seven furlongs at Ascot will play to his strengths.”

Godolphin runners disappointed at Royal Ascot yesterday.

Calming Influence finished last in the Queen Anne Stakes and Roayh ran 11th in the Coventry Stakes.