Racing: Nayef's class can tell as four nations pursue glory

England, Ireland, France, Germany and Spain. Nothing to do with events in Japan and South Korea, but contenders at Royal Ascot today. The first four nations are represented in the afternoon's feature, the Prince of Wales's Stakes and the high-class international field of globetrotters is another fine reward for the decision to upgrade the 10-furlong contest to Group One two years ago.

Today's field of 14 is the largest since 1938 for a race whose history could be viewed as pedantic. It was founded in 1862 over 13 furlongs when the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, took over Queen Victoria's social duties as she mourned Prince Albert. After the war, when Royal Ascot resumed, the Prince of Wales's Stakes did not, as George VI had no elder son to take the title. It was restored to the calendar in 1968, over the shorter distance, prior to the present holder's investiture.

Five of today's field are Group One winners. Two of them, Nayef and Banks Hill, are on the redemption trail, having run below the expectations which burden putative superstars.

Nayef spent much of last year trying to emerge from the shadow of the so-called failure of his spring campaign and did so in the Champion Stakes. But it was his stunning display to win the Sheema Classic in March that thrust him on to the world stage and his third place in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last month was disappointing.

Banks Hill, from France, was another who seemed to have the world at her feet when she produced a breathtaking burst to take the Filly and Mare Turf at the Breeders' Cup. Her defeat by Best Of The Bests and Poussin a month ago was put down to ring-rustiness, but that was her third defeat in as many outings against colts.

The race's first two editions with top-level status produced memorable wins for Godolphin, Dubai Millennium and Fantastic Light. Today the blues field Sydenham and Grandera, the choice of Frankie Dettori after his defeat of Germany's Paolini in the Singapore Cup. Germany has already one Group One strike in Britain in the net this term, Boreal's Coronation Cup.

The joker in the pack may be Desert Deer. Mark Johnston's charge has won four of his five races but is taking a huge step. A year ago he had barely won his maiden and was plying his trade in handicaps but such was the style of his seasonal debut – a nine-length romp at Newmarket – and the substance of his homework since that he is allowed to take his chance.

In the hope that it was only the gluepot conditions at the Curragh that anchored Nayef (3.45), he is taken to reaffirm the potential to be a true champion.

For many years Spain was off-limits in the European arena because African Horse Sickness was endemic. But now racing is developing quickly and a filly trained at Mijas is a first for the country at this meeting. Though Hecterine may find playing away problematic, at least it is in her blood; her grand-dam Marling won the Queen Mary Stakes and Coronation Stakes.

The suggestion in the 153rd Royal Hunt Cup is HERETIC (nap 4.20). A middle draw is not ideal but he ran a fine trial behind Putra Pekan at Kempton, he will be suited by the strong pace and his stable is flying.