Pat Smullen to team up with Free Eagle at Ascot

Mustajeeb heads a strong list of Irish possibles for the Diamond Jubilee

Pat Smullen is fourth favourite to be leading jockey at Ascot this week. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho.
Pat Smullen is fourth favourite to be leading jockey at Ascot this week. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho.

Ireland's champion jockey Pat Smullen is rated a 14 to 1 shot by some betting firms to emerge as the leading rider at Royal Ascot this week and is set to team up with the race favourite Free Eagle in Tuesday's Prince Of Wales's Stakes.

Free Eagle is one of 10 declared for the race along with the American star California Chrome and the Australian hope Criterion.

Day Two rides

Smullen’s other Day Two rides are Bragging for Sir

Michael Stoute

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in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes and Lamar for

James Tate

in the Royal Hunt Cup.

The Co Offaly native is also due to team up with the Gold Cup favourite Forgotten Rules in Thursday’s highlight event while Mustajeeb is among the favourites for Saturday’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes after 19 were left in the Group One sprint at the six-day stage.

Ladbrokes currently rate Smullen a 14 to 1 shot for the leading jockey award, behind only Ryan Moore at 2 to 5, Richard Hughes at 6 to 1 and Frankie Dettori who is a 7 to 1 shot.

Strong list

Mustajeeb heads a strong list of Irish possibles for the Diamond Jubilee which also includes Gordon Lord Byron, Due Diligence and Eddie Lynam’s Moviesta.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column