Royal Ascot: William Haggas' runners

William Haggas had the superstar of the Flat last season and Baaeed delivered in style with his Royal Ascot success in the Queen Anne.

Already a Derby and Oaks-winning trainer at Epsom, Haggas will be eager to try and supplement his Royal Ascot record in 2023. 

Here we take a look at some of his possible Royal Ascot contenders in 2023, with a reminder that every race across the five days from Tuesday 20th June – Saturday 24th June can be watched via the bet365 live sports streaming service.

Queen Anne Stakes 

Maljoom @ 15/2 

He hasn't been sighted since finishing a half-length fourth in the St James's Palace Stakes at this meeting a year ago as Coroebus won, but Maljoom remains prominent in the betting for the Queen Anne as Haggas looks for an heir to the throne of the now-retired Baaeed in that contest. 

Maljoom had won all three career starts prior to Royal Ascot last June, including the German 2000 Guineas, and played his part in a terrific scrap as Coroebus won in a blanket finish that also included Lusail, My Prospero and Maljoom – the last-named duo both trained by Haggas. 

My Prospero, fourth in the Lockinge last time at Newbury, also holds an entry in the Royal Ascot opener but the market indicates that Maljoom remains the most likely contender from Somerville Lodge stables in the curtain raiser.

Prince Of Wales's Stakes 

My Prospero @ 8/1 

My Prospero instead may take his chance in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at the increased trip. 

After that excellent run here last summer in the St James's Palace, My Prospero made the immediate step up to this distance and won a Group 2 at Saint-Cloud in July. 

His only subsequent appearance last season once more saw him playing a supporting role in an Ascot cracker as he was third – beaten a half-length – in the Qipco Champion Stakes when Bay Bridge beat Adayar – with his Haggas-trained stablemate Baaeed only fourth behind him. 

His comeback run in May's Lockinge at Newbury over the bare mile saw him finish a credible fourth and he could be part of a stellar Prince Of Wales's Stakes line-up with Bay Bridge (7/2) Adayar (4/1) and last year's Derby winner from Epsom Desert Crown (6/1) all in the frame.

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes 

Sacred @ 8/1 

Group 1 sprinting aspirations are likely to remain on the agenda for Sacred, with the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over six-furlongs on the final day, Saturday 24th June, the likely destination. 

The Cheveley Park-owned five-year-old has at times come up just shy in elite company but was beaten a mere length when fifth in this same race 12 months ago as Naval Crown won. 

A horse that tends to get seven-furlongs at her ease, it's no surprise the stiff six around here suits well. 

Sacred returned to action with a really decisive win in the Group 3 Chartwell Fillies' Stakes on Lingfield's Polytrack in May, dispatching the 2021 Albany Stakes winner Sandrine with aplomb. 

That is decent form and it's arguable that, so far, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes doesn't quite have a cast as star-studded as it did last summer. Sacred therefore commands another crack at the prize.

Hardwick Stakes 

Hamish 

Hamish won the Ormonde Stakes at Chester for the second year running in early May and did so in convincing fashion. 

He is a course winner at Ascot too, the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes last October over a mile-and-a-half. 

He is a strong stayer and so that test here is right up his street. He doesn't have major miles on the clock but he may be reliant on some rainfall as his preference these days seems to be for softer going.