3 minute read

James Doyle is looking forward to getting back on Map Of Stars as he gears up to take on the likes of Los Angeles in Wednesday’s ten-furlong Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Doyle, who is the retained rider for powerhouse owners Wathnan Racing, is two from two on the Francis-Henri Graffard contender following victories in the Prix Exbury and Prix d'Harcourt this season.

A broken collar bone meant that Doyle was unable to take the ride when Map Of Stars finished a neck behind the subsequent Group 1 winner Sosie in the Prix Ganay, leaving the Newmarket-based rider relishing the opportunity to get back onboard at Royal Ascot.

Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, Doyle said: "He's had a nice campaign so far. I thought he was unlucky not to win the Ganay, things just got a bit tricky off the false straight there, one kicked for home early, which put him in a bit of a pocket. Once he did get out into clear room, he ran home very well to be narrowly denied by Sosie, who obviously came out and won the Prix d'Ispahan, so that was a nice form boost for him.

"He's still quite lightly raced, and he should still keep improving. The Prince Of Wales's will be his fourth start this year, so you'd like to think a big horse like him should be peaking at around this time of time.

"He'll need to be peaking. It looks to be a very good race with the likes of Los Angeles and Anmaat coming from the Tattersalls Gold Cup. It will be a tough race but he's a horse who I really like and I'm excited by what he could do at Royal Ascot and beyond."

Map Of Stars was one of ten horses to feature at Thursday's latest confirmation stage, with Los Angeles and Anmaat both in line to take their chance. The Jerome Reynier-trained Dubai Turf hero Facteur Cheval adds further international spice, while White Birch and Ombudsman also stood their ground.

Karl Burke's Royal Champion is another that remains in contention alongside Aidan O'Brien Continuous and the Jack Channon-trained Certain Lad.