Charlie Fellowes will be hoping his recent recruit The Wizard Of Eye can take the step up to Group 1 level in his stride in the feature Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The recently gelded son of Galileo made a winning stable debut when landing something of a touch in the competitive Victoria Cup at this venue last month, a performance that has prompted his handler to have a crack at Group 1 company.
An official rating of 102 gives him something to find with some of the market principals and although there are question marks now dropping back to six furlongs, Fellowes is looking forward to stepping his horse up in grade under the in-form Ryan Moore.
"We're dropping back from seven furlongs to six and I've got no idea if he's got the speed for it," said Fellowes.
"In all his work at home he looks very quick, but we're stepping up into Group One company and dropping back in trip, so there are a few questions to answer, but we've got the best jockey in the world on board and I'm really happy with him – he's in great condition.
"I wouldn't mind a bit of rain. I'm not really fussed about what the ground is like as it was very quick when he won the Victoria Cup, but rain wouldn't be an issue, and we're looking forward to it."
Ryan Moore already booted home no fewer than five winners this week, a number that sees him two clear of Oisin Murphy in the leading jockey standings at the royal meeting. Moore will partner the Charlie Fellowes-trained five-year-old for the first time this afternoon and whilst realistic about his chances, the leading rider doesn't feel like he needs to improve much to be in a with a shout in what looks like an open contest.
"There is no stand-out in here, so a few will be fancying their chances," Moore said on his Betfair blog.
He added: "I can see why Charlie [Fellowes] has gone for it with The Wizard Of Eye, and he impressed here on his return. That 7f handicap win only came off 99, so he was doing nothing that most of these could have done in the same position, but hopefully, a strongly-run six furlongs can see him improve and put him in with a chance."
Paddy Power makes Charlie Fellowes' interesting contender an 8/1 chance for the six-furlong Group 1 prize on the final day of the meeting, with Believing, who finished a close-up fourth in the King Charles III Stakes just four days ago, and Mill Stream sharing the spoils at the head of the market at odds of 4/1.
