Passenger ruled out of Prince of Wales's with infection but Eclipse could be next

Impressive Chester winner Passenger will miss the Prince of Wales's Stakes, leaving Auguste Rodin as the new 7-4 favourite for Royal Ascot's joint-richest prize.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained son of Ulysses had been a general 2-1 market leader for the £1 million day two feature, but is now more likely to appear in next month's Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

The Niarchos family's racing manager Alan Cooper told the Racing Post: "Passenger is being treated for an infection and the veterinary advice is that Ascot will come too soon. The timing is far from ideal but, all being well, I think we'll be looking at the Eclipse."

Passenger, who returned for his four-year-old season with victory in the Group 2 Huxley Stakes in May, worked under Richard Kingscote on the Limekilns on Wednesday but was an absentee from the Newmarket gallops on Saturday morning. 

Auguste Rodin has been cut into 7-4 (from 3-1) to gain his first victory of 2024. He underwhelmed when last of 12 in the Dubai Sheema Classic before a much-improved performance when chasing home White Birch in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last month.

That rival is 11-4 second favourite to confirm superiority over Auguste Rodin in the reformed market for the Prince of Wales's, while French-trained challenger Horizon Dore is among those to have been backed against those at the head of the market. 

Horizon Dore: will run in the Prince of Wales's Stakes for Gousserie Racing and trainer Patrice CottierCredit: Edward Whitaker

Horizon Dore was last seen when beaten just a short head by Mqse De Sevigne in the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp last month, after which connections earmarked either Ascot or the Coral-Eclipse, depending on the four-year-old's recovery.

Speaking on Saturday, co-owner Gousserie Racing's Pauline Chehboub said: "The Prince of Wales's Stakes is the objective for Horizon Dore and he will be lining up in that race. We will also have Classic Flower heading to Ascot for the Commonwealth Cup."

Coral spokesperson David Stevens said: "Auguste Rodin has been well backed for the Prince of Wales's in recent days, while the likes of Horizon Dore and Alflaila have also attracted support." 

Should Passenger now head to Sandown on July 6, he could have another Ballydoyle giant standing in his way in the shape of City Of Troy. 

The sponsors make the Derby winner their 6-4 favourite for the Coral-Eclipse with Passenger 4-1 second best and Dante winner Economics a 6-1 chance. 

Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Royal Ascot, June 19)
Coral: 7-4 Auguste Rodin, 11-4 White Birch, 8 Horizon Dore, Inspiral, 10 Alflaila, Luxembourg, 12 Zarir, 16 Blue Rose Cen, 20 Royal Rhyme, 25 bar.

Coral-Eclipse (Sandown, July 6)
Coral: 6-4 City Of Troy, 4 Passenger, 6 White Birch, Economics (needs to be supplemented), 7 Auguste Rodin, 8 Inspiral, Luxembourg, 10 Alflaila, 12 Emily Upjohn, 16 bar.

Read these next:

100-1 winner helps punter secure mammoth £188,000 payout from a £2 Lucky 15 bet 

Assessing Wathnan Racing's formidable squadron of stars after huge Royal Ascot spending frenzy 

The Racing Post is now available to follow on WhatsApp channels!

Follow Racing Post Insider on WhatsApp and you can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest news, tips, insights, live reactions and much more. Click the group link and get Racing Post notifications straight to your phone via WhatsApp.