Dubai: Trainer Williams Haggas hopes an injection of speed in Wednesday’s Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot will boost Mukhadram’s chances of reversing the form on last year’s race, where he was beaten by a neck.

The former Derby-winning handler has opted to use the services of a pacemaker in Elkaayed to ensure that there will be a fast pace for his Dubai World Cup (G1) runner-up in the 2,000m contest, the highlight of day two at the Royal meeting.

Haggas reports Mukhadram, who is owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, to be in top shape ahead of his fifth Group 1 outing and first of the season.

“He’s in really good shape,” said Haggas in the Sportinglife. “He worked at Newmarket recently and went really well and I hope he runs a good race.

“I think he’s in better shape now than he was last year. One thing he will do is give his all, he tries all day.

“He has a pacemaker this year, which will help. He’s running at Paul’s [Hanagan] request, which is good. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Shaikh Hamdan has won the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes on three occasions with Nayef (2003) and Muhtarram (1994-’95).

Mukhadram, who was last seen finishing second to African Story in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan, faces seven rivals including Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Treve, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) victor Magician and triple Group 1 scorer The Fugue.

Trainer Criquette Head-Maarek hopes Treve’s turn of foot will prove decisive in the race,

“It is difficult to say if this mile and a quarter is her best trip as she has showed a tremendous turn of speed over a mile and a half, won over a mile and broke the track record in last year’s Prix de Diane [over an extended mile and a quarter],” she said.

“If she is relaxed and there is another horse to carry her for a long way in the race, I hope that she can then use her turn of foot.”

“I would love to have another Royal Ascot winner [Gold Splash in the 1993 Coronation Stakes was her only previous triumph there] especially with Treve because her sire, Motivator, stands at our family farm [Haras du Quesnay in Normandy].

“It is always a fantastic day whenever you win a race at Ascot.”

The Fugue finished third in the race last year on her seasonal reappearance and John Gosden commented: “This will also be her starting point in Europe this year, although she did have a disappointing run in Dubai back in March.

“She’s better off starting in this, and she’ll get her ground.”

Day 2 at the royal meeting also features the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes and Duke Of Cambridge Stakes and the Group 3 Jersey Stakes.