Trainer William Haggas has expressed reservations about the stall draw for Lake Forest in the upcoming Group One Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, set to take place tomorrow. The Tony Bloom-owned five-year-old is positioned in stall one for the 19-horse field, a slot Haggas described as less than ideal. Despite being the shortest-priced British contender at 10-1 with William Hill, Lake Forest trails slightly behind the Australian favorite Joliestar, listed at 9-4, and the Japanese challenger Satono Reve at 9-2.

Haggas noted that while Lake Forest is in good form and expected to handle the ground conditions well, the inside draw could hamper his ability to perform at his best. “It’s not one I’d have picked,” Haggas said, adding that the gelding’s chances are “compromised” by the tight rail positioning.

Lake Forest will be running over six furlongs for the first time since his second-place finish in the Group Three Hackwood Stakes at Newbury in July 2024. Historically, the horse has raced exclusively at seven furlongs or a mile. Haggas indicated a preference for the slightly longer seven-furlong distance but suggested that a “stiff six” furlongs may suit better than a mile under the prevailing conditions.

Meanwhile, attention also turns to Constitution River, who remains under consideration for the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park on July 4. The Prix du Jockey Club winner initially opened at 5-2 odds for the 10-furlong “clash of the generations” but has been drifted out to 5-1 following comments by trainer Aidan O’Brien. O’Brien indicated that the colt might require a rest period before continuing his campaign in the autumn, which has influenced the betting market.

“He has another bit to go,” O’Brien remarked, emphasizing uncertainty about the timing of Constitution River’s potential break. “We’ll see how everything goes because he will probably have to have a little rest sometime – whether he has it before or after, we just have to decide.”

The decisions made in the coming weeks regarding both horses' race selections and training adjustments will likely impact their form and prospects as the summer racing season unfolds.