Eminent has crack at shock

can spring a surprise on the second day of Royal Ascot by overturning hot favourite Cracksman in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

Cracksman will obviously be tough to top as he arrives unbeaten in his last five starts, most recently landing the Coronation Cup at Epsom, but it is that last run that appears to leave the door slightly ajar.

He was far from impressive in beating Salouen in that Group One and while there were valid excuses in that he hit his head leaving the stalls and Epsom is not his favourite track, that race could well have left a mark.

Step forward Eminent who, while a shadow of himself on his seasonal return at Chester, finished just three-quarters of a length behind Cracksman when fourth in last year’s Derby.

He has perhaps not made the progress Martyn Meade hoped for, but he came in three lengths clear of Salouen in a French Group Two last summer before signing off with a fine third in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Eminent’s Chester return is best forgotten as it later transpired he had suffered with a fibrillating heart and Meade believes he now has the Frankel colt back on top form. SELECTIONS ASCOT: 2.30 Chelsea Cloisters, 3.05Southernfrance, 3.40Aljazzi, 4.20Eminent, 5.00 Archetype, 5.35 JAMES GARFIELD (NAP).

HAMILTON: 1.40Usainboat, 2.10 Baronial Pride, 2.45 Start Time, 3.20 Havana Star, 3.55 Bowler Hat, 4.35 Moltoir, 5.10 Prediction, 5.45 London Glory.

DOUBLE: James Garfield and Eminent.