Royal Ascot 2017 – Robert Cowell hoping for a fast start from Goldream in Ascot’s King’s Stand Stakes next month

ROBERT COWELL has his fingers crossed Goldream is fast out of the stalls when he bids to regain his crown in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Cowell's sprinter lost valuable ground at the start in the Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday, yet was still able to get within half a length of the winner, Priceless, at the line.

Goldream will now head to the Royal meeting for the race he won in 2015.

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"He just missed the break. It was so unlike him. He'd never done that before in his life, but on Saturday he did by three or four lengths," said Newmarket-based Cowell.

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"To sit second last on that sort of ground against that calibre of horse, he did remarkably well to get so close to the winner at the finish.

"He's fine and has come out of it well, and if he can break on terms back at Ascot, a course he loves and on the fast ground he loves, I think he will be a major player."