Wohler heading to Royal Ascot with outside chances

FRESH from breaking new ground by saddling Germany’s first runner in the Investec Derby, trainer Andreas Wohler is heading to Royal Ascot with a couple of outside chances.

Wohler is keen to have a crack at Animal Kingdom with Indomito in the Queen Anne Stakes, while Altano will take his chance in the Ascot Gold Cup. Altano may be joined by stablemate Earl Of Tinsdal, but Wohler would like to see plenty of rain for the dual Group 1 winner to take his chance and he is not a definite runner.

After Danedream’s exploits in the Arc and King George, and Energizer notching a first for the country at last year’s Royal meeting, those who underestimate the German raiders do so at their peril, as emphasised by the success of Amarillo at Haydock on Saturday. “Indomito will probably run in the Queen Anne,” said Wohler. “He ran well in the race last year (fourth to Frankel). Altano will definitely run in the Gold Cup and he will be ridden by my jockey, Eduardo Pedroza. Earl Of Tinsdal is not a definite runner, he would need it to rain. He doesn’t have to have it soft, but he doesn’t like quick ground.”

Meanwhile, Prohibit returns from 11 months on the sidelines when he lines up for the Prix Hampton at Maisons-Laffitte today. The 2011 King’s Stand Stakes hero has been off the track with a knee injury, but has been pleasing trainer Robert Cowell in the build-up to this Listed race and is ready to make his comeback. Should all go well, he may still make it to Royal Ascot in a bid to regain his five-furlong crown next Tuesday.

“He had a bit of an injury to a knee. He looks in tremendous shape and has been working really well,” said the Newmarket handler. “He might go to Royal Ascot, but first it depends on what happens tomorrow.”

Joseph O’Brien takes the mount on Prohibit, while Cowell has booked Olivier Peslier for his other runner Monsieur Joe, who is burdened with a Group 3 penalty and has to give weight all round. “Monsieur Joe struggles in Pattern company in England especially, as he has a penalty, so we’ve decided to keep him abroad until our penalty has gone,” said Cowell.

The George Baker-trained Humidor is a third British raider in a field of nine for the five-furlong dash.