A SHIN HIKARI is unlikely to be much of a price for the Prince of Wales's Stakes but it is hard to look past him in the feature event on day two of Royal Ascot.

The five-year-old won eight of his 10 starts in Japan before announcing his arrival on the international scene with a wire-to-wire success in the Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin in December.

Sent off a 25-1 shot that day, jockey Yutaka Take had him promptly away and the son of Deep Impact preceded to set a decent pace which he held right to the line, beating fellow Japanese raider Nuovo Record by a length.

Connections immediately began to plan a European challenge, with the Masanori Sakaguchi-trained horse taking up residence in France ahead of his debut in the Prix d'Ispahan at Chantilly last month.

A handful of top French performers lined up in that nine-furlong event but all they saw was a clean pair of heels as he raced prominently through the early stages before being sent to the front two furlongs from home.

A Shin Hikari's response was hugely impressive and he passed the post with 10 lengths in hand without really having to hit top gear.

That victory came on heavy ground, so soft conditions in Berkshire hold little fear, and should the ground unexpectedly improve, he has already proved himself more than capable on a fast surface.

Nap selection DEVONSHIRE will relish the testing ground and she can find the necessary improvement to triumph in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes under William Buick.

The four-year-old contested the Jersey Stakes at this meeting last year but fast ground proved very much against her as she trailed home 15th of the 16 runners.

Given a bit of a break after that run, she eventually landed a Listed race at Listowel last September, prompting connections to set their sights on the EP Taylor Stakes at Woodbine in Canada, where she was not disgraced in finishing a close-up seventh.

She looked to be outstayed on her reappearance at the Curragh in March but she likely just needed that run as she made no mistake when landing a Curragh Group Two with plenty of cut underfoot last time.

Trainer Willie McCreery must be thrilled by the prospect of soft ground and Devonshire is fancied to spring a surprise against one or two better-fancied rivals.

IBN MALIK is another who should excel in the conditions as James McDonald rides in the opening Jersey Stakes.

Beaten just three-quarters of a length by subsequent Guineas hero Galileo Gold at Goodwood last summer, Ibn Malik then ran Emotionless to three and a half lengths at Doncaster before rounding off his year in the Autumn Stakes, where he was beaten by the reopposing Gifted Master.

Gelded over the winter, he made a perfect start to this campaign when winning the Free Handicap at Newmarket on easy ground, racing keenly before finding plenty for pressure.

The form of that race may not have worked out brilliantly but Ibn Malik looked comfortable enough in victory and should improve a bit for the outing.

PORTAGE, ridden by James Doyle, is worth supporting in the Royal Hunt Cup after scoring on his return at the Curragh at the start of the month.

He is saddled with a 5lb penalty for that success but his Group race entries later in the year underline the regard in which he is held.

Frankie Dettori teams up with Wesley Ward's LADY AURELIA in the Queen Mary Stakes and she can give her trainer a third success in 10 years in this race.

A winner over four and a half furlongs at Keeneland in April, Lady Aureila certainly has speed to burn, as long as her pace is not too blunted by the ground.

DIPLOMA can set the seal on the Queen's birthday celebrations by landing the closing Sandringham Handicap. Her Majesty loves nothing more than an Ascot winner and Sir Michael Stoute has the perfect candidate in this Dubawi filly.