Christophe Lemaire is looking forward to crossing the Channel next week with major chances in two of Royal Ascot's feature events.

The French jockey is enjoying a fantastic start to the season in his native country with Le Havre's success in yesterday's Prix du Jockey Club a fourth Group 1 win for him and trainer Jean-Claude Rouget.

The pair are set to team up with French 1,000 Guineas heroine Elusive Wave in the Coronation Stakes a week on Friday, while Prix d'Ispahan winner Never On Sunday is set for the Prince of Wales's Stakes on 17 July.

"Elusive Wave is a top-class filly and as a two-year-old she was already very good," said Lemaire. "She confirmed that this year in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and she's a very easy ride with a lot of speed from the start.

"She stays, she's a fighter and for me she is the right type and has the ability for Ascot. We are hoping for a great performance from her.

He added: "Never On Sunday is improving a lot and finished very strongly in the Prix d'Ispahan. He's a very consistent horse and I'm sure he'll be in the first three at Ascot."

Meanwhile, Lord Shanakill will bid to redeem his reputation after flopping in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month with an outing in the St James's Palace Stakes at the royal meeting tomorrow week.

The colt, who was runner-up in the Dewhurst Stakes last October, missed some work with a temperature before his seasonal bow at Newmarket but has been pleasing trainer Karl Burke since. He said: "I shouldn't have run him in the Guineas but he is back in good form now."