3:45 Royal Ascot: Planteur best alternative to So You Think

So You Think flopped when a heavy favourite in the Prince of Wales’ Stakes last year and it is Planteur that can cause a repeat at Royal Ascot this time around at 10/1.

Sent off the 4/11 favourite 12 months ago, So You Think took up the running relatively early down the home straight, but was caught close home by Rewilding.

He was also beaten on his only other appearance at Ascot in the Champion Stakes by Cirrus Des Aigles and there are some doubts as to whether he chokes at the course or whether horses sired by High Chaparral generally struggle at the circuit.

Luckily for So You Think his two conquerors are both absent this time with Cirrus Des Aigles declared a non-runner earlier in the week, with the result being that he is the 1/1 favourite.

The fact he is a nine-time Group One winner makes him the clear horse to beat, while he has claimed seven previous successes over 1m2f, but there is sure to be money for Carlton House.

It would be a big day for the Queen if her horse celebrates a Royal Ascot success and Carlton House is currently 10/3.

He is still open to improvement and won well on his sole start this season in a Group Three at Sandown.

Farhh looked the proverbial group horse in a handicap when winning last time, but this is much harder and so Planteur is the clear each-way pick.

Since finishing fourth in this race last year, he has switched to the yard to Marco Botti and run creditably on each occasion.

Firstly he finished third in the Dubai World Cup ahead of So You Think and then third at Longchamp over an inadequate 1m1f, getting to within a length of Cirrus Des Aigles.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.