O'Brien mob-handed against Lucarno

Aidan O’Brien has six of the 16 entries left in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday.

The Ballydoyle handler could be represented by Chinese Whisper, Honolulu, Mahler, Red Rock Canyon, Trinity College and Yellowstone.

But they will all have to improve on what they have shown so far to beat John Gosden’s Lucarno, who ran a fine race in the Derby to finish fourth, only five weeks after making his debut.

Salford Mill, another to run well at Epsom in sixth, could bid to give David Elsworth Royal winner number 16.

Mark Johnston, a trainer with a record at the meeting second to none in recent years, has left in both Boscobel and Eradicate.

Michael Stoute, who won the race last year with Papal Bull, relies solely on Al Tharib, while Godolphin’s only possible is Eastern Anthem.

The French challenge features Alain de Royer-Dupre’s Ashkazar, with Luca Cumani having the progressive Lion Sands an option. Michael Bell’s Spice Route completes the list of possibles.