2022 Prince Of Wales's Stakes Tips - 13/2 shot can reclaim Ascot crown

Bay Bridge is one of the favourites I'm keen to get beaten at Royal Ascot. I'm fully prepared to eat my words if Sir Michael Stoute's charge wins his first Group One. Yet, it's clear that Mostahdaf underperformed when Ryan Moore's mount won the Brigadier Gerard and Bay Bridge - who's yet to be tested above Group Three level - has six Group One winners and a dual-Group Two winner to contend with on Wednesday.

Japanese racing has never been more powerful that it is right now, and it's wonderful to see the Sheema Classic winner, Shahryar make his Royal Ascot debut. I worry that this trip may prove a little sharp, especially if the pace isn't particularly swift in the early stages, but another high-profile victory for Japan wouldn't be a surprise.

State Of Rest is a tough, admirable horse, who should be there or thereabouts come the end of the race. However, I think the best bet here is LORD NORTH, who offers plenty of value.

John Gosden's star bolted up in this race in 2020, showing a fantastic turn-of-foot to beat Addeybb by almost four lengths. Lord North burst blood vessels when winning the Dubai Turf in 2021, but ran a cracker to dead-heat on his return to Meydan back in March, despite running just once at Lingfield in-between those two Group One victories.

Frankie Dettori, who usually holds Lord North up to utilise his closing speed, then positioned his mount more prominently behind the pace-setting High Definition in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. As it turned out, the leader went so hard from wire to wire, Lord North was flat out a long way from home and his effort was only good enough for fourth.

The only runner in this field who likes to make the running is Addeybb, and William Haggas' eight-year-old isn't the force he once was, so I can't see Tom Marquand going off particularly quickly. If this Group One turns into a sprint, which I think it will, then Lord North has to be the one to side with.