King Edward VII 'the perfect race' for Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal

Hoo Ya Mal, who ran Desert Crown to two and a half lengths when second in the Derby at 150-1, was a surprise addition to the potential Friday cast at Royal Ascot after connections supplemented him for the King Edward VII Stakes.

The Andrew Balding-trained son of Territories already has an entry in the Hampton Court Stakes over a mile and a quarter on day three but having reportedly come out of the Derby in excellent shape, his owner Ahmad Al Shaikh has paid £15,000 for a late entry to Friday's Group 2.

Ladbrokes have inserted Hoo Ya Mal as 4-1 second favourite behind Epsom fifth Changingoftheguard.

"It's a perfect race for him on the back of what we saw in the Derby," Al Shaikh's racing and bloodstock manager Federico Barberini said. "He's come out of the race in good shape and we thought it would be a good idea as he would have a very good chance."

Hoo Ya Mal is one of 20 horses due to go under the hammer on the eve of Royal Ascot at the Goffs London Sale at Kensington Palace Gardens.

"He's in the sale on Monday as well, so we'll see who owns him after that," said Barberini. "If the horse gets sold, the new buyer could get a horse with a good chance at Royal Ascot which is also a plus.

Hoo Ya Mal is a best-priced 4-1 for the King Edward VII Stakes after being supplementedCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He has two entries because he’s in the Hampton Court as well as the King Edward VII. Both races could be okay for him but the way he ran at Epsom suggests the King Edward VII [over a mile and a half] could be ideal."

Regardless of whether Hoo Ya Mal carries his white and green silks, Al Shaikh is set to be represented next week. Green Team, trained by Owen Burrows, is entered in both the Queen's Vase and the King George V Handicap, while the Kevin Philippart de Foy-trained Loch Lundie – described by Barberini as "an improving filly who we like a lot" – is on course for the Sandringham Stakes.

King Edward VII Stakes (5.35, June 17)

Betfair: 3 Changingoftheguard, 7-2 Hoo Ya Mal, 5 Eldar Eldarov, Lysander, 6 Nahanni, 16 Anchorgae, 20 Dark Moon Rising, Grand Alliance, Savvy Victory, Aikhal, 33 Vega Magnifico.

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