DOUBLE HANDFUL

John Shaw’s racing betting column in association with

IN my mind there are four horses, not three, that are a cut above the rest in today’s Prince Of Wales’s Stakes. Ulysses, Highland Reel and Jack Hobbs are the leading trio in the market.

I’ve had my eye on Ulysses for quite some time — and I’ve not been that impressed.

That’s Ulysses the horse, not the book of the same name written by James Joyce and completed by nobody ever.

That book is so dull they had to recall the braille version because people’s fingers kept falling asleep.

The Ulysses to which I refer is incredibly well bred (by Galileo out of an Oaks winner Light Shift), which means he’s been something of a disappointment to date.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old has yet to bag a big prize and seems to be priced up in terms of potential rather than proven form.

Next up is JACK HOBBS who is the class horse of the race in my mind, there’s no doubt he will be winning races aplenty this season. Many are saying he won’t like the firm ground. I don’t agree one bit. He was runner-up to Golden Horn in the 2015 Derby on good to firm and then went on to win the Irish Derby, again on good to firm, I’m a little surprised he’s not entered in the Hardwicke Stakes as he seems more suited to 1m4f. He hasn’t won over 10 furlongs since winning a Sandown handicap in early 2015, but I have a feeling John Gosden is running him because he’s so confident. The way Jack Hobbs won the Sheema Classic last time out was ultra impressive, particularly the way William Buick pushed the button and bolted past Highland Reel.

I can see proven performer Highland Reel dictating from the front again until he is collared late on by Jack Hobbs.

The other horse to watch, at an unbelievably attractive each-way price, is Decorated Knight. He should love the ground and is very consistent as seven wins from 14 runs suggests.

I’d be surprised if he doesn’t make the frame.