'Same prep and same form' - but will Home Affairs emulate Nature Strip?

Saturday: 4.20 Royal Ascot
Platinum Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) | 6f | 4yo+ | ITV/Sky

They have had identical preparations according to Chris Waller but can Home Affairs produce an identical performance to Nature Strip? If he does we will see a second procession up the famous Ascot straight.

Nature Strip scorched the turf on Tuesday in the King's Stand, with only the riderless Khaadem able to keep him company in the closing stages. It was utterly emphatic and the scary thing for the other 26 runners in the Platinum Jubilee is that Home Affairs has already beaten his stablemate at Flemington in February.

Waller, the wonderful trainer of Winx, has said everything has gone perfectly to script up to now for Home Affairs, but is under no illusions about the magnitude of the task facing the favourite given his age.

Waller said: "Everything is great with him and he's had exactly the same preparation [as Nature Strip], from the trials back in Sydney to the jump outs in Sydney, then the jump out down the straight at Flemington and they travelled together as well. They've done everything perfectly well and they've got the same form. It's not easy for a three-year-old colt, but everything has gone to plan for Home Affairs.

"He's an exciting colt, a big strong horse. It is obviously a big field and, like any horse during Ascot week, he has got to get into a good rhythm and handle the day well and all the little things need to be achieved for the big result to happen. But, he's certainly a very gifted horse and he should make a big impression. I'm looking forward to the day."

Freedman - 'it feels like Jamie has a really good rapport with Artorius'

Anthony Freedman, who in trains in partnership with his son Sam, is convinced Jamie Spencer can sprinkle stardust on Artorius, describing the pair as a match made in heaven.

Artorius was third to Home Affairs in the Coolmore Stud Stakes back in October, but he was a length and three-quarters ahead of the hot favourite for this in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington in March when he stayed on into sixth having missed the break.

He has been strongly supported over the last couple of days, into a single-figure price having been available at as big as 16-1 on Thursday, and Freeman is hoping Spencer has the keys to unlock a seriously competitive Platinum Jubilee.

Freedman said: "Jamie has had a couple of rides on him now and he really gets on with him very well. I haven't seen the horse go like he does for Jamie in his work. He really uses himself properly. It feels like he has a really good rapport with him."

Artorius has an official BHA rating of 112, 8lb shy of Home Affairs.

'He needed the York run to engage his brain' - is Minzaal best of the British?

The ecstasy of training a first Group 1 winner did not last long for Owen Burrows as a career-threatening injury to Hukum surfaced a few hours after his decisive victory in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

It was a bitter pill for Burrows to swallow so it would be entirely fitting if a second top-level success arrived within a few weeks of the first.

Burrows has made no secret of the fact that Minzaal has been trained to peak in this before a crack at the July Cup and he is convinced he will come on from his mediocre return to action in the 1895 Duke of York last month when third to Highfield Princess. First-time cheekpieces have been applied too.

Burrows said: "I've been pleased with him since York and he's come forward plenty. I thought he'd need York and it would engage his brain a bit, which it's done. It's a tough race but I couldn't be happier with him.

"I won't be using the ground as an excuse – it was very quick when he won at Salisbury as a two-year-old. We're drawn away from Campanelle and Home Affairs, but we've got some pace around us and I'm encouraged there's been low-drawn winners this week."

What they say

Ado McGuinness, trainer of A Case Of You
He's in good form, we're very happy. He scrubbed up and travelled over well. It's all systems go. He doesn't know his price at the end of the day and we're confident he'll put up a good run. I think there'll be plenty of pace and there's a lot of good horses around him, that's where you need to be in a race like this.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Creative Force and Naval Crown
Creative Force was a bit disappointing in the Al Quoz Sprint but it was his first run back in sprinting company after a break. He definitely benefited for that run and looks fantastic. Naval Crown ran a fine race on his first sprint appearance in the Al Quoz. There is a big difference from racing over 7f compared to 6f but he seemed to handle it well. They will go hard and fast over the stiff six at Ascot, which will bring his stamina into play.

Roger Varian, trainer of Dragon Symbol
He's in great form and seems to be improving with racing, He needed the run badly at York and then ran a better race at Haydock. It looks like his third run for me will be his best run, which it would need to be as it's a very good race. I'm as happy with him as I've been all year and he looks primed to run a very good race.

Ed Walker, trainer of Great Ambassador
Although I'd love to have given him a prep run he hasn't taken much getting ready and won't lack for fitness. I can't wait to see him back on track as he was really progressive last year and he's tailor-made for a straight six furlongs, as he showed in the Ayr Gold Cup. He's very fast and I'm sure he has the ability to beat the other British horses – we'll just have to see how he gets on against the foreign horses.

Joe Murphy, trainer of Gustavas Weston
We're hoping for the rain to come. He has consistent form – I wouldn't read too much into his last run as he was doing his best work at the finish. He's a Group 3 winner and we don't want to shy away from these challenges. You have to take your chance and hopefully he'll go well.

Alastair Donald, racing manager to King Power Racing, owner of Happy Power
It's a very strong race but he's got an excellent record at the track and distance. If thunderstorms do hit that would increase his chances as he was fourth in this race on soft ground last year.

Wesley Ward, trainer of Campanelle
We've got high hopes for her. She is already a two-time winner at the course so she obviously likes it here, and she put in a good comeback run. She is dappled like a leopard as well. I'm very hopeful.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Happy Romance
She ran brilliantly in Saudi Arabia and again in Dubai. She just twisted a joint going into York so we didn't go there. She's recovered from that, she's absolutely fine and is in great nick. I hope she's ready to run a very big race.

John Quinn, trainer of Highfield Princess
It's a spicy race but she's got a chance. She goes there off a career-best last time, she's won on the track which is a big plus and she doesn't mind good to firm ground.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Vadream
She is one of those horses 20lb better at Ascot than anywhere else. She ran okay at York where she was very fresh beforehand and Danny [Tudhope] felt she'd almost run her race before she got into the stalls. Hopefully that was just first race freshness. It's a very hot sprint but she's proved that she can mix it with the best on occasions.

Day five at Royal Ascot:

2.30 Ascot: Is this Ballydoyle's next star? Aidan O'Brien on the exciting Alfred Munnings

3.05 Ascot: Is Noble Truth the one to beat? Jersey Stakes analysis and insight

3.40 Ascot: Will Hurricane Lane be fully tuned up on his return in Hardwicke?

5.00 Ascot: Trainer quotes and analysis to help you solve a Wokingham like no other

5.35 Ascot: 'He goes there with a good chance' - key quotes for the Golden Gates Stakes

6.10 Ascot: 'He looked like he wasn't stopping' - can O'Brien and Moore claim Ascot closer?

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