ROYAL ASCOT PREVIEW | The Prince Of Wales’s Stakes

Arguably the superstar of the Ballydoyle crop of runners last season, LOVE (13/8) makes her return to action for Aidan O’Brien in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The daughter of Galileo tore apart her rivals last season, winning by a combined 18¼ lengths across her three starts in Group 1 company.

She has been away from the track for the last ten months, but her previous form alone should be enough to fear the filly as she takes on the males here.

The four-year-old takes on last season’s winner LORD NORTH (9/4) who bounced back to winning ways in the Middle East back in March.

John & Thady Gosden’s colt made light work of his rivals in the Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan, but it was found that he burst blood vessels after that contest.

However, the gelding is known to go well when fresh and after an 80-day break, he could well be a threat to Love here.

ARMORY (7/2), who is the second string for the O’Brien stable, has shown some progress in recent time and could well follow up his Huxley Stakes success here.

The colt gave two respectable performances in Group 1 company last season before making an impressive return to action at Chester last month, comfortably claiming success by three lengths.

He does have a few pounds to find on his rivals in the ratings, but the four-year-old could have more to offer here.

AUDARYA (18/1) caused a couple of upsets in Group 1 contests in France and the US last season for James Fanshawe, while William Haggas’ MY OBERON (33/1) ran a cracker in the Prix d’Ispahan just over two weeks ago.

SANGARIUS (33/1) disappointed in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes under Sir Michael Stoute and has three lengths to find on Armory, while David Simcock’s DESERT ENCOUNTER (80/1) completes the seven-runner field at Ascot.

SELECTION:

• Lord North @ 9/4