BUCKINGHAM PALACE

ASCOT 5.35 ... AL KHALEEJ @ 20/1 ... PRIME EXHIBIT E/W @ 33/1

There is much deliberation about the draw but 2008 winner Regal Parade came up the stands side, and 7 of the first 8 home last year also came up the stands rail.
Al Khaleej's form here reads 3rd & 2nd in two big field handicaps to date and drawn 8 of the 29 runners is likely to stay on the stands side.
Had little racing with only 2 runs in each of the last 2 years but can go well fresh so the break since February not so much a concern as the going being too fast.
I believe he will handle it, and is only 2lb higher than a good 2nd in the 2008 Victoria Cup when on good/firm going he had Giganticus (OR 101), (last Years winner of this event off 91) another 14 length in arrears.
Ted Durcan rode him twice in Dubai so should be familiar with his mount, and the only negative for me is the early price took a hit with Pricewise putting him up as one of two selections for the race early this morning.

The other runner I find worthy of a E/W wager is Paul Hanagan's mount, Prime Exhibit.
Got no sort of run here in this year's Victoria Cup but his 2nd place to Penitent, (who went off favourite to contest the Investec Stakes) in the Lincoln on soft going is decent form.
His run last October behind Prince Of Dance is also working out with form-lines to Bushman, winner of both the Royal Windsor, and Investec Diomed Stakes (group 3).
Drawn more in the middle he has the option to go either side where he has a stablemate both sides of the track.
His 3rd last September when with Roger Charlton, to now stablemate Harrison George looks decent given the subsequent success of Harrison George off 108 when beating rivals rated up to 115, and who is another to have ran in the Investec Diomed Stakes.

Al Khaleej 1 Pt @ 20/1
Prime Exhibit 1 Pt E/W @ 33/1

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