One of a group of new handicaps introduced to the Royal Ascot line-up in 2021, the Kensington Palace Stakes, named after one of the Royal Family’s London residences, is restricted to fillies and mares. A big field is a certainty and, given it is run with a bend on the Round Mile, this is a race where it nearly always pays to be drawn low. Sheikh Joaan’s daughter of Treve, Doha, won the Kensington Palace Stakes in 2024.

French-bred Stateira, is making her debut in the Wathnan silks here, and she’s an intriguing proposition: eight of her ten starts have been on synthetic surfaces and her victories include the Fillies And Mares’ Championship on Finals Day.

She took another major step forward for trainer Andrew Balding when finishing third in the G2 Lanwades Stud Stakes in Ireland last month. Classy Wathnan colour-bearer One Look was one place behind her. That is tremendous form.

Stateira is a rapidly progressing filly who looks to have particular scope for improvement on turf. This may be her last appearance in handicap company: Listed and Group races surely await after this assignment.