Duke looking to crowned prince

Duke Of Marmalade will face 12 rivals as he aims to land a third successive Group One victory in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.

Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old, winner of the Prix Ganay and the Tattersalls Gold Cup this season, will clash with Sir Michael Stoute’s Ask, the Henry Cecil-trained Phoenix Tower and former St Leger winner Sixties Icon.

Elie Lellouche will be represented by Loup Breton, ensuring some French interest in the 10-furlong feature, while Pressing will attempt to go one better than when second in Italy last month.

Last year’s Cambridgeshire winner Pipedreamer will run for John Gosden, who has chosen not to declare stablemate Lucarno.

Godolphin rely solely on Literato, who has disappointed in two starts since winning the Champion Stakes last year.

Hattan, Petara Bay, Red Rock Canyon, Regime and Stotsfold complete the line-up.