With no Frankel in opposition, Excelebration has the chance to flaunt his undoubted ability in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

The four-year-old, trained by Aidan O'Brien, has been beaten five times by Frankel, including twice this year.

But with Sir Henry Cecil's superstar having successfully stepped up a mile and a quarter, Excelebration has a golden opportunity to prove himself the top miler in Europe in this Qipco-sponsored Group One.

Runner-up to Frankel in this race 12 months ago, when handled by Marco Botti, he showed his class with a smooth victory in the Jacques le Marois at Longchamp in August.

O'Brien told BCTV: "We've been happy with him since the last day.

"He had a busy enough campaign early on and met Frankel twice, but we were delighted with him in France and he seems well since.

"He's been in good form since his last run and the QEII was the race we were looking at. It's so far, so good with him.

"He's a very good horse. He was a very good horse last year and the year before.

"He's run some great races this year."

Carlton House was a disappointment in the Summer Mile on this course when dropped in distance from a mile and a quarter, but connections of The Queen's colt are expecting a better performance from the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old this time.

"He didn't settle in the Summer Mile but he is in good form and we are looking forward to seeing him run," said The Queen's racing and bloodstock adviser John Warren.

"I wouldn't think any of the horses would like the ground to be bottomless but I don't think that we are too concerned about the going."

Stoute added: "He's nice and fresh and I'm hopeful of a good run."

William Buick has enjoyed a tremendous season with a host of big-race successes, and the in-form jockey is expecting a big run from Elusive Kate.

The John Gosden-trained filly was only a length and a half behind Excelebration in third place in the Prix Jacques le Marois and was an unlucky second in the Sun Chariot Stakes on her latest start.

"She's a remarkable filly. She had a relatively late start to the year as she started in the Falmouth, but she's real tough," said Buick.

"She's been running well all year. She was unlucky in the Sun Chariot, she stumbled coming out of the stalls and clipped a shoe - it was half on and half off.

"She would have won because she wasn't striding out properly.

"She's versatile with the ground and I know we've got Excelebration to beat, but she'll give him a race.

"She has form on soft ground and that will be a big plus."

Tom Queally teams up with German challenger Indomito before he partners Frankel in the Qipco Champions Day.

"He'd have half a chance and he has shrewd connections, but it looks a tough race. I'll be doing my best," he said.

Most Improved had his finest hour to date in the St James's Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting, but has been well beaten in two outings since then.

However, his trainer Brian Meehan is hoping the application of headgear will bring about a revival in the colt's fortunes.

"His victory in the St James's Palace Stakes here in June was the highlight of a stop-start season from only limited appearances," the Manton handler told www.brianmeehan.co.uk.

"He is tried in a visor for the first time and the hope is that it will bring out the best of his undoubted ability."

James Doyle is looking forward to donning the Khalid Abdullah colours on Cityscape, just 35 minutes before Frankel struts his stuff for the same owner in the Champion Stakes, with Tom Queally in the saddle.

Doyle partnered the Roger Charlton-trained six-year-old to victory in the Dubai Duty Free at Meydan in March and since then Cityscape has performed with credit in Hong Kong, Europe and Canada.

"It will be a pleasure to put those colours on. It would be smashing if I could go into the winner's enclosure the race before Frankel," said Doyle.

"I'm very much looking forward to it and hope Cityscape can run a big race.

"He's run some cracking races at Ascot so it's clearly a track he likes - I'm very hopeful.

"He's had a busy old time, but he's still running well.

"He ran a smasher in the Prix Jacques le Marois."

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