Butler all set for Royal Ascot

Gerard Butler has outlined his team for Royal Ascot with Buckingham Palace Stakes hopeful Bayeux heading the quartet.

The Blewbury handler worked Bonus, Forgery and Compton Bolter along with Bayeux and expressed himself very pleased with the way they went.

Bayeux has three entries at the Royal meeting but looks like being stepped up in trip to tackle the seven-furlong Buckingham Palace Stakes after finding six furlongs at Newmarket a little too sharp.

Forgery, who won a 25-runner handicap at Newmarket last time, has the Royal Hunt Cup as his objective while Bonus will take his chance in the Wokingham.

“We worked Forgery, Bayeux, Bonus and Compton Bolter yesterday and I was very, very pleased with the way they all went,” said Butler.

“I’ve had a look at the weights for the races like the Wokingham, the Buckingham Palace and the Hunt Cup and they look as if they have enough to get in, well I hope they do because they have been their targets for some time.

“If they do get in they will all give a good account of themselves.

“Bayeux has gone up steeply in the weights, ridiculously so for winning two races on the all-weather.

“He will go over seven furlongs in the Buckingham Palace Stakes, he is in the Hunt Cup, and the Wokingham too but I think that is the right race for him now.

“His form, especially when he beat Quito, is looking very good.

“Bonus will go for the Wokingham, Forgery will go in the Hunt Cup and Compton Bolter will run in the Wolferton,” explained the Oxfordshire-based handler.