Tercentenary an option for Blue De Vega Irish 2,000 Guineas third Blue De Vega is among 18 contenders for the Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot on Thursday. Michael O'Callaghan's colt would be stepping up to a mile and a quarter for the first time but is also entered in Tuesday's St James's Palace Stakes over a mile. The unbeaten Long Island Sound is the sole representative for Aidan O'Brien in the Tercentenary, while Dermot Weld's progressive Maneen, who is two from two this season, is also in the mix. Jim Bolger is responsible for Siamsaiocht. Charlie Appleby feels the distance of the Tercentenary will enable Hawkbill to be seen at his most effective. Having rattled up a hat-trick of wins on the all-weather last season, the son of Kitten's Joy made a winning return when upped to 10 furlongs and Listed level for the first time, with a game success in the Newmarket Stakes on the Rowley Mile in April. Appleby said: "The intention was to go to the French Derby, but unfortunately with the conditions that turned up in France we knew that it wouldn't be to his liking. When the ground went soft we decided to give it a miss and head to Ascot instead. "He has come out of his race at Newmarket well, mentally as much as physically, and that was the horse's challenge as he has always been quite highly strung. "He is in both the Tercentenary and the King Edward, but I would say he is more likely to run in the Tercentenary. "I think he will get a mile and a half, but I think for him a mile and a quarter at this stage will allow him to be ridden up on the pace."
