Adelaide holds all the aces in King Edward VII Stakes

Adelaide looks to have been laid out for today’s King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot (3.45) and is strongly fancied to land the spoils.

The Aidan O’Brien trained colt ran out the decisive winner of a strong maiden at Leopardstown on his sole start as a juvenile, and ran a cracker on seasonal reappearance when runner-up in the Group 2 Prix Hocquart at Longchamp.

The son of Galileo then got back to winnings ways in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes at The Curragh over 1m 2f, when easily beating stable companion Mekong Style by three lengths.

There was plenty to like about the way Adelaide quickened clear a furlong from home and stayed on strongly without having to be asked any sort of serious question, and the extra two furlongs of today’s contest looks sure to suit.

O’Brien has clearly had this as the target for Adelaide for a long time, and the Ballydoyle handler looks to have given the colt the perfect preparation for the Group 2 contest.

The obvious danger to Adelaide is Western Hymn, who lost his unbeaten record when finishing sixth behind Australia in the Investec Derby at Epsom.

The John Gosden trained colt ran better than the 9 3/4 lengths he was beat suggests, having been badly bumped leaving the stalls, and had previously took the step up into Group company in his stride when landing the hat-trick at Sandown.

The son of High Chaparral undoubtedly has what it takes to win a race of this nature, and is now partnered by Richard Hughes for the first time.

The big question is whether the race will come too soon after Epsom, and for that reason Adelaide has to get the vote.

One that could go well at a big price is Odeon.

The James Given trained colt won his maiden by nine lengths before finishing an excellent three length fourth of six behind The Grey Gatsby in the Dante Stakes at York.

The winner has since gone on to land the Group 1 Prix Du Jockey Club at Chantilly, whilst the runner-up Arod finished an excellent fourth in the Investec Derby.