Wesley Ward's Golden Pal looking to make friends at Royal Ascot

There's few who enjoy a trip to Royal Ascot more than American trainer Wesley Ward and the sprint king hopes to make more friends with his Golden Pal.

The rapid four-year-old has already hosed up in the Grade 2 Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland and now Ward has the King's Stand Stakes at the UK's most prestigious flat meeting in his sights.

"Golden Pal is doing great, he really is. I have been singing this horse's praises for a couple of years now and the only thing he hasn't done yet is win on your patch. Hopefully, he can get it done!" Ward said.

"It was a powerful performance from him in the Shakertown - but it was a comeback and I really think his next run is going to be something special. He is a once in a lifetime horse - certainly the best I have ever had - and I think he will stamp that with his performance at Ascot if he runs like I am expecting him to.

"Physically, he is an awesome specimen now and mentally he is really coming into his own. I am just so excited to get him back over there."

Campanelle is another lightning fast Ward runner set for the Berkshire track this summer and looking to build on wins in the Queen Mary and the Commonwealth Cup.

"Barbara Banke (owner) and her team are so excited to get Campanelle back over there. She had a strong performance on her comeback win at Keeneland the other day. If you watch that race against some of the fastest fillies in the country, what she did was pretty impressive," said Ward.

"Between her and Golden Pal, I think we are going in with some big chances. They are running in races that I have won before and I really feel this pair are coming into their respective races as good, if not better, than my previous winners."

Ward is a specialist with juveniles and has a strong roster of two-year-olds to cherry pick.

"We have our first grass maidens for two-year-olds in the US at Keeneland this week," he said.

"Then there are maidens at Churchill Downs and Belmont Park as well. I will have runners across those races and how they get on will determine who travels."