Merchant Navy winning the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh last month© Photo Healy Racing
Merchant Navy and Harry Angel are on course for a mouthwatering showdown in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot after featuring among the 18 remaining contenders for the Group One sprint.
Since being placed in the Commonwealth Cup last season, Clive Cox’s Harry Angel has won the July Cup, Haydock Sprint Cup and the Duke of York Stakes.
Merchant Navy arrived at Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle yard with the intention of winning at Royal Ascot and he warmed up for the weekend showpiece with a win at the Curragh.
O’Brien has also left in Intelligence Cross, Spirit Of Valor and Washington DC.
Redkirk Warrior is another with a solid profile in Australia and will represent a country with a fine record in producing winning Ascot sprinters.
The Tin Man has Group One-winning Ascot form, with Librisa Breeze another to show his best form at the Berkshire track.
American ace Wesley Ward is bullish about the chance of Bound For Nowhere, while City Light is the only French contender.
Limato has been left in but he has been declared for the Queen Anne Stakes on the opening day.
Charlie Appleby is likely to run D’Bai but he has also left in Blue Point, who is down to run in the King’s Stand on Tuesday.
Donjuan Triumphant, Dream Of Dreams, Gifted Master, Projection and Sir Dancealot complete the possibles.
