The formidable combination of trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore bids to win the G1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (2005m) for the fourth time in nine years with Los Angeles.

It is a fascinating contest. Los Angeles arrives at Royal Ascot better than ever, having battled well to hold off the challenge of Anmaat in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (2100m) in Ireland last month.

O'Brien said: "Los Angeles  is a good, hardy, tough horse. At his best when there's a strong pace. He's a big, idle, relaxed horse but no horse likes a fight better than him."

He added. "Ryan was brilliant on him. He was waiting for someone to come to him because he felt he had plenty left when they did come, and that's exactly what happened. You couldn't be happier."

At the age of seven, Anmaat has also never been better, having ended last year by winning the G1 Champion Stakes (2000m) at Ascot. Whereas Los Angeles was race-fit for the race in Ireland, Anmaat, who briefly looked likely to beat his rival, was returning from a break.

Trainer Owen Burrows is hopeful of turning the tables on Los Angeles with Anmaat.

"The lack of a run just made the difference. Now that Anmaat has a run under his belt I'm looking forward to taking Los Angeles on again," Burrows said.

While those two rivals boast the best credentials, the French-trained Map Of Stars, representing the big spending Wathnan Racing, has improved with each race and was only narrowly beaten in the G1 Prix Ganay (2100m) at ParisLongchamp in April. Trainer Francis Henri-Graffard, who has a good record at Ascot, will be hoping for rain as Map Of Stars seems to perform best on a soft surface.

Faster ground will suit See The Fire, perhaps the most interesting contestant. The only filly in the race was supplemented at a cost of £70,000 (approx. HK$745,000) after a spectacular performance when winning a Group 2 contest by 12 lengths last month.

Rider Oisin Murphy was impressed: "She was always comfortable and always in control." Trainer Andrew Balding was equally pleased. He said: "We've always had a very high opinion of See The Fire and she's improved since last year. She's a very exciting horse."

In a race that looks to be between five of the nine runners, Godolphin will be hoping that Ombudsman, who lost his unbeaten record in a Group 3 race last month but was not disgraced, may bounce back.

Trainer John Gosden remarked: "He got tired and I think the winner of that race, Almaqam, is very smart. Almaqam was receiving weight and got the run of the race. Ombudsman needs to come from off the pace. Ryan Moore was very pleased with him."

The second French-trained contender, Facteur Cheval, a six-year-old with a fine career, has a good record at Ascot but over 1600m. He has never run beyond 1800m on turf and seems unlikely to be suited by the longer distance.