THE market has spoken in favour of Le Destrier giving Willie Mullins a record-extending fourth win in the Queen Alexandra Stakes, after the seven-year-old’s stable debut received a major boost in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

The Stawomir Pegza-owned entire overcame an absence of almost two years to finish third in last month’s Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes, beaten a length and a quarter by Scandinavia, who came out on top in Thursday’s thrilling feature.

Speaking to The Irish Field, Mullins’ assistant trainer David Casey said: “He ran very well at Leopardstown; it looked a good run for his first run for so long. We’re hopeful he’s come forward for it a bit. It’s a big step up in trip for him, but I think he’ll be okay at it, and hopefully he’ll run very well.”

If you’re a fan of statistics, it’s worth noting that two of Mullins’ three previous winners have broke from stall three – as does the team’s €400,000 purchase Columbus. Gelded since his purchase, the five-year-old made his first start for connections in a novice hurdle at Killarney, where the race wasn’t run to suit, according to Casey.

“He ran very well [when second] in a race that turned into a bit of a sprint,” he said. “I think the trip will suit, and we’re happy that he’ll come forward from it.”

Colin Keane’s mount won two stakes races over a mile and seven furlongs as a three-year-old in France and progressed last season to run with credit in Group 2s, before taking third in the Group 1 Preis Von Europa.

Earlier on the card, Mullins’ Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Ethical Diamond returns to the scene of his Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes success in the Hardwicke Stakes. It is his first start since finishing fifth in the Dubai Sheema Classic and this field is top class, featuring Goliath, Jan Brueghel and Kalpana.

On Dylan Browne McMonagle’s mount, Casey said: “He’s come out of Dubai well; he’s been in good form since and his work has been good. He’s run well at Ascot a couple of times, which obviously gives him a good chance. It’s a very strong race, so we’re just delighted to be taking part. Hopefully he runs a good race, I think he’s stepped forward from Dubai.”