Rayif will make a first visit to Ascot in search of international Group 1 glory for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, tackling the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1600m).

The three-year-old was an intended runner in the course and distance Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot prior to a small setback and has since won the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois (1600m) against his elders at Deauville.

Nemone Routh, the Aga Khan’s French racing manager, said: "We’re very happy with him and looking forward to running him on Saturday. He got a bit of a stone bruise on a foot literally the morning he was due to get on the track to Ascot, and then was fine two days later.

"We opted not to run him back three weeks after the Jacques le Marois to allow Erdenali (Caravaggio) to run in the Moulin. He's had a very light campaign so he's fresh.

"It’s the first time he’s travelled but he’s a very relaxed horse so I doubt that will bother him. It’s his first time at Ascot so he’ll need to adapt to the track but he’s ground indifferent.”

“Also we were going to run Hawk Mountain with him, maybe going back in trip might suit him. We’re happy with him also.”

Godolphin’s Talk Of New York has also been supplemented for the top-level prize after a busy three-year-old campaign. Kept away from a Classic campaign, like subsequent Group 1 victor Opera Ballo in 2025, the son of Wootton Bassett collected a success in the Group 2 Joel Stakes (1600m) at Newmarket on his latest run.

Ed Walker’s Ten Bob Tony and William Haggas’ More Thunder represent the best of the older opposition, having raced consistently throughout the season. Ten Bob Tony was successful in the course and distance Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot whilst More Thunder returned to winning ways in the Group 2 Park Stakes (1400m) at Doncaster.

Photo: Scoop Dyga