ASCOT 15:45 3w616h

All 8 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +9 yds

Time: 2m 1.9s

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 101.4%

The presence of a couple of star fillies, The Fugue and last year's Arc winner Treve, as well proven Group-1 colts Magician and Mukhadram, gave this year's Prince of Wales' s Stakes a deep, quality field and, although dealt something of a blow with Treve not firing, it's still high-class form with a solid look to it; Elkaayed was employed as a pacemaker and went off very hard in a clear lead, ignored to a large extent by the rest but ensuring they went a sound gallop in the main group nonetheless, making for a fair contest, no need to be making adjustments to the form on the day.

THE FUGUE reportedly injured a heel when flopping in Dubai 3 months ago, so it was easy to forgive in hindsight, and she proved at least as good as ever to record the fourth Group 1 win of her career under what are probably her optimum conditions (1¼m on firmish ground), the task made easier by Treve underperforming, but still had a high-class colt in Magician to see off and did so relatively comfortably, turning the tables with him from the Breeders' Cup; it was the smoothest of performances, very similar to last year's Yorkshire Oaks, only against stronger opposition, tanking along in mid-field, making headway on the bridle over 2f out, quickening to lead approaching final 1f and soon a couple of lengths clear, edging right to the rail and just needing to be kept up to her work; she can win more races at the top level, always with the option of going back against fillies of course, but there are more prestigious races on the agenda immediately, the Eclipse a possibility according to her trainer (scoped dirty after disappointing in that race in 2013).

MAGICIAN (IRE) might not have been ideally suited by soft ground in Ireland last time, his win on heavy earlier in his career having come only in a maiden after all, whilst the first-time tongue strap could have had a positive effect here too, either way bouncing back to his very best and simply finding The Fugue in better form than when they met at the Breeders' Cup; chased leaders, shaken up entering straight, led briefly 2f out before winner took over, stuck to his task and was closing back up slightly at the line; he's still had just 2 runs at 1½m, on both occasions strong to the line, and it's not out of the question that he can achieve slightly more back over that trip in the King George next month.

TREVE (FR) wasn't herself for some reason, even more so than had been the case at Longchamp on her return 7 weeks earlier, moving very scratchily to post and then underperforming, never looking 100% happy once the race began in earnest, under pressure to make headway over 2f out (usually travels with more gusto) and edging both ways once Dettori got more serious, one paced in the finish; there's obviously something to prove after this but maybe the drying ground was part of the problem - although she won the Diane under quick conditions her very best performances have come with some give underfoot - and it's too soon to be writing her off or be confident that she doesn't retain all of her ability.

MUKHADRAM who was beaten a neck by Al Kazeem in this corresponding race 12 months ago, didn't quite match that performance this time around, without the same tactical advantages as he had last year, but it was yet another respectable effort in top company; chased leaders in main group, ridden over 2f out, kept on, had every chance; reliable sort but is basically vulnerable in all bar substandard Group 1s (had to dip into minor pattern company for both 2013 wins).

DANK was below form after another 3 months off and this time didn't have any obvious excuse, just not on her game and never threatening from off the pace, but given overall consistency/excellent strike rate it's unlikely to be long before she's back on track, most likely back against her own sex for something like the Nassau Stakes.

PARISH HALL (IRE) faced a stiff task but was too keen to give his running in any case; chased leader, raced too freely, weakened 2f out.

ZAMBUCCA (SAF) isn't up to this grade and was well held on first outing since leaving S. Seemar after 3 months off; in rear, struggling over 2f out, made no impression.

ELKAAYED (USA) is easily excused this run, in as a pacemaker and going off too hard in a clear lead, headed around 2f out and soon beaten.