Ombudsman will face a tough task when he bids to hold on to his Prince of Wales’s Stakes title in the face of Daryz, Almaqam and Minnie Hauk on Wednesday.

In what looks sure to be another highlight of a fascinating week at the Royal meeting, the 10-furlong Group 1 sees two of the highest rated horses in the world clash.

John and Thady Gosden’s Ombudsman has added the Juddmonte International and Dubai Turf to his record in the past 12 months and finished second in the Eclipse and Champion Stakes.

Daryz won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last season and already this term has shown his adaptability in winning the Prix Ganay over an extended 10 furlongs and the Prix Aga Khan IV over nine.

It is far from a two-horse race however, with Ed Walker’s Almaqam having finally made his Group 1 breakthrough in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in Ireland last time.

Minnie Hauk went down valiantly to Daryz in the Arc and began her season in fine style, but disappointed behind Almaqam in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

Dancing Gemini, Devil’s Advocate, Mississippi River and See The Fire complete a field of eight.

Gosden gold

The Gosdens also hold strong claims in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes with Friendly Soul.

A Group 1 winner in 2024, she missed the whole of last summer and returned to action recently at Haydock when she was the unfortunate runner to discover the hole in the track.

Miraculously unscathed, she looks to get back to winning way in this Group 2 against the likes of Blue Bolt, Jancis, Catalina Delcarpio, Shes Perfect and Falakeyah in a field of 15.

There are 11 in the Queen’s Vase, with Aidan O’Brien only running Port Of Spain out of five initial entries.

Joseph O’Brien’s Limestone, Archie Watson’s Wareeth and Point Of Law, trained by the Gosdens and owned by the King and Queen, also run.

Fast fillies

A maximum field of 28 is due to go to post in the Queen Mary with Karl Burke’s Wild Blossom, Simon and Ed Crisford’s Senorita Bonita and the Wesley Ward pair of Ruiva and Shining Moment among them.

Another huge field will face the starter in the Royal Hunt Cup with Holloway Boy heading 30 runners plus three reserves. Andrew Balding’s Stateira is top-weight in the 25-runner Kensington Palace Stakes, while 25 have been declared for the Windsor Castle.