Derby winner Appleby sets his sights on Royal Ascot success

He may have provided Godolphin with a first success in the Derby, but Charlie Appleby knows he can't rest on his laurels as the Boys in Blue bid to wrest the leading owner award from Coolmore's grasp at next week's Royal Ascot meeting.

And the Moulton Paddocks handler has readied a strong team for the Royal Meeting. His squad includes the enigmatic Hawkbill in the Prince of Wales's Stakes on Wednesday Having won the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March, he disappointed when only fifth at Epsom behind Cracksman in the Coronation Cup at Epsom earlier this month.

"We were slightly disappointed with Hawkbill's run at Epsom as he had his ground there. Hawkbill is Hawkbill - when he brings his A game, he is a hard horse to pass.

"The plan is to drop back in trip again and be positive in the Prince of Wales and if the Hawkbill that won the Sheema Classic and Coral Eclipse turns up, he'll take a bit of pegging back."

Oaks runner-up Wild Illusion heads for the Ribblesdale Stakes on Thursday and the daughter of Dalham Hall's flagship stallion Dubawi is clearly a big favourite of her trainer.

"She lost nothing in defeat in the Oaks or 1000 Guineas and as a past G1 winner has a 3lb penalty to carry. We were confident going into the Oaks but take nothing away from the winner at Epsom [Forever Together] who was better on the day and outstayed us.

"I felt there was a good distance between her and the third, and the rest of the field were left behind.

"I'm confident Wild Illusion stays the trip and probably being back on a sounder surface will suit as it was soft enough at Epsom when we were stepping her up in trip for the first time."

Appleby also revealed that speedster Blue Point, the six furlong record holder at Ascot heads for the G1 King's Stand Stakes over five furlongs on Tuesday, with recent Haydock victor D'Bai joining fellow Godolphin runner Harry Angel, trained by Clive Cox, in Saturday's six-furlong G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

"Dropping back to five furlongs will be within Blue Point's compass I think. He was disappointing in Hong Kong where we tried to take them on at their own game and race up on the pace which didn't work.

"He had a bit of a torrid journey home as well, so he had a nice break since then and the last two weeks I couldn't have been any happier with him. He really is pleasing us.

"He did a serious piece of work on Saturday and come out of it well. He did some easy work on Wednesday and is showing all the right signs at home.

"Blue Point seems to love Ascot - he has won two races there and was third in the Commonwealth, so it is a course and a track that he is very comfortable at. Coming back to five furlongs will also suit him as they will go hard up front and he will come into the race at the right time."

Recent Haydock victor D'Bai will be joining fellow Godolphin runner Harry Angel, trained by Clive Cox, in Saturday's six-furlong Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

"I have felt for the past six to eight months that D'bai could be a sprinter," said Appleby. "He broke the seven-furlong track record at Meydan when winning there in January. He was a bit disappointing on his next start when he ran a bit free.

"We then just changed his programme slightly and ran him in a six-furlong conditions race, which Jungle Cat won. D'bai was on the far side that day and I was delighted with his run to finish fourth as it showed he had the natural pace to drop back to six furlongs.

"On his first start back in Britain, he was second to The Tin Man over six furlongs at Windsor which was a very positive run. We just thought that another run before Ascot wouldn't do any harm and the John of Gaunt looked a logical race to go for.

"He just showed his bit of class at Haydock in the way he travelled. They are going to go hard in the Diamond Jubilee and I am hoping he will be able to travel and come on to the scene late on."

As for the Godolphin juvenile challenge, Appleby said the team's fillies seemed to be the most precocious at this stage.

"We have La Pelosa, who will run in the Albany Stakes. She broke her maiden smartly at Kempton and came from the Kempton breeze up. She is by Dandy Man and has done well since that success.

"The Australia filly Beyond Reason won on her second start at Kempton. Stepping up in trip is going to be her forte and she is heading for the Chesham.

"Strings Of Life, a little Slade Power filly, will go for the Queen Mary. She might just lack on the class front, but deserves to be there."