Royal Ascot

A new-look Windsor Castle Stakes with an additional furlong to negotiate and sire restrictions in place. While it has attracted a different type of horse as a consequence, it is no less competitive for it. Sale Shark created a big impression when winning at Hamilton and looks best of the home-trained contingent, while Alfred Wallace is another lively one, but this prize could be heading across the Irish Sea. Controlla sets a clear standard having run so well in a Group 3 on her debut but there are opponents who have also achieved a good standard while perhaps bringing the potential for greater improvement. Sergei Diaghilev falls into that category and he can feature prominently, while Celeron also looked the part when winning at the Curragh two weeks ago. Flying home for second in that race was ONE NUMBER, who was easy to back and palpably green before the penny finally dropped. With that run behind him, and faced with forecast faster ground, he could take a significant step forward.[Paul Smith]