Rocks Ready For Ascot

Brian Meehan reports Red Rocks to be in top form ahead of his run in Wednesday´s Prince Of Wales´s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Meehan´s yard has hit form just in time for the Royal meeting and the handler saddled his first winner for 24 days at Newbury on Thursday.

The trainer revealed his string had been suffering from a bug, but his Betfred Gordon Richards Stakes winner had been unaffected and is raring to go.

Meehan said: 'He is 100%. He did his final piece of work this morning and I was really pleased with him.'

Coral have Red Rocks as their 3-1 second favourite behind 11-4 market-leader Dylan Thomas for the 10-furlong contest.

Aidan O´Brien´s three-time Group One winner tasted an unexpected defeat on his last start in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, which was inflicted by Notnowcato.

Sir Michael Stoute´s charge, who may reoppose at Ascot, also won the Juddmonte International last year and would no doubt prove to be a formidable opponent if taking his chance.

O´Brien has also left in last year´s 2000 Guineas hero George Washington, but he seems far more likely to reappear in the Queen Anne Stakes after his unsuccessful first spell at stud.

There should be a very strong challenge from France, with both Prix d´Ispahan winner Manduro and 2006 Prix de l´Opera heroine Mandesha possible challengers.

Italian recruit Pressing was handed the only supplementary entry.

(C) PA Sport