I'M KIND OF A BIG DEAL

Appleby ready to reign in King Charles III Stakes thanks to star colt Evs

- GARRY OWEN

BIG EVS (3.45) should stand tall for Michael Appleby in the King Charles III Stakes on day one of Royal Ascot.

The colt looked smart on debut at Redcar last May when chinned by the talented Hala Emaraaty.

He confirmed that impression by routing Johannes Brahms in the Windsor Castle here a year ago. The sprinter then showed grit plus class to deny Purosangue come August in the Molecomb at Goodwood.

He did not look quite ready to take on older rivals when well beaten in the Nunthorpe at York. However, the bay hit back by bolting up from Flora Of Bermuda in the Flying Childers at Doncaster come September. He excelled himself by cosily taking the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.

The three-year-old proved he had trained by caning Sommelier on his comeback at York last month ahead of today's test.

FACTEUR CHEVAL (2.30) looks set to shade another stellar renewal of the Queen Anne Stakes. Jerome Reynier's star stayed upwardly mobile when third across the line in the Prix D'Ispahan at Longchamp a little over 12 months ago.

He was then only denied his first Group One success by Paddington in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in August.

The colt ran another stormer at Longchamp when third to Sauterne in the Prix du Moulin the following month.

He was unlucky to come up against Big Rock in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over course and distance last October.

The bay finally bagged a Group One win when pipping Namur in the Dubai Turf at Meydan in March.