Dank In Royal Reckoning

Sir Michael Stoute has raised the possibility of multiple Group One-winning mare Dank take her chance in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The five-year-old won four times during a tremendous 2013 campaign, enjoying top-level success in the Beverley D Stakes at Arlington before benefiting from a masterful Ryan Moore ride to take the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

She was third in the Dubai Duty Free at Meydan at the end of March and is set for an imminent return to action, with the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh a potential alternative to next Wednesday's feature event.

Stoute said: "She's in very good shape and were going to confirm her in the Prince Of Wales's. She has an alternative in the Pretty Polly and we've not yet decided if she goes to Ascot.

"James Wigan (owner) would prefer the Pretty Polly, it would be nice to have a crack at the Prince Of Wales but we'll decide when we see the opposition. I think she'll get her ground."

Dank is among 11 confirmations for the 10-furlong Group One, with Criquette Head-Maarek's French star Treve taking top billing. Last year's stunning Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine was narrowly beaten by Cirrus Des Aigles on her seasonal reappearance in the Prix Ganay, but is a hot favourite to strike on her British debut under Frankie Dettori.

Aidan O'Brien is set to rely on Breeders' Cup Turf winner Magician, who won last month's Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh but was unable to reel in Noble Mission in the Tattersalls Gold Cup on his latest appearance.

O'Brien's compatriot Jim Bolger has Leitir Mor, Parish Hall and Trading Leather in contention, while Roger Varian has entered Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned pair Ektihaam and Elkaayed.

The owner's chief contender is the William Haggas-trained Mukhadram, who was narrowly beaten by Al Kazeem in a thrilling finish 12 months ago.

Multiple Group One-winning mare The Fugue, third last year, could line up for John Gosden. Gay Kelleway's likely outsider Zambucca completes the list.


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