Royal Ascot: Queen Anne Stakes guide

AMERICAN PATRIOT

Trainer: Todd Pletcher (USA). Jockey: Frankie Dettori

Form: 349-11

One of two American challengers in the first race of the week and both would appear to have credible chances. Grade 1 winner last time, for whom rattling fast ground will be a big bonus and an eye-catching jockey booking makes him a decent each-way hope. Rating: 10/10

COUGAR MOUNTAIN

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien (Ire). Jockey: Donnacha O'Brien

Form: 0-2863

Seventh in this race last year on soft ground that wouldn't have suited, but looks more of a Group 2 or 3 performer these days and likely odds reflect his chance. Rating: 3/10

DEAUVILLE

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien (Ire). Jockey: Ryan Moore

Form: 3-7213

Went over to the USA last summer to win the Belmont Derby and has run consistently since, but this drop in trip (first run over a mile since October 2015) might not be ideal unless he is able to dominate from the front. Rating: 4/10

DUTCH CONNECTION

Trainer: Charles Hills. Jockey: James Doyle

Form: 21560-

Has run well fresh in the past, and quick ground suits, but it's a big ask to come into a Group 1 after seven months off and he is held by Mutakkayef on Ascot running from last summer. Rating: 4/10

DUTCH UNCLE

Trainer: Robert Cowell. Jockey: Martin Harley

Form: 261256

Bought for 36,000 guineas after finishing sixth in an Epsom handicap in April and supplemented for this race by his new connections, probably as a pacemaker for Lightning Spear. Rating: 1/10

ENNAADD

Trainer: Roger Varian. Jockey: Andrea Atzeni

Form: 111-42

Easy winner of a Kempton Listed prize late last year, but most of his form has come on the all-weather and the form of his Ascot defeat last time out means plenty of improvement is needed. Rating: 3/10

JALLOTA

Trainer: Charles Hills. Jockey: Silvestre de Sousa

Form: 132-32

Very consistent but often comes up just short of winning, having been placed in Group 1, 2 and 3 company over the last 12 months. Fast ground would be something of a concern though. Rating: 5/10

KASPERSKY

Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam. Jockey: Michelle Payne

Form: 137-52

Regular winner in Italy over the last three years but his two runs in this country have been below the standard needed for this tough a contest. This will also be a first Royal Ascot ride for his Melbourne Cup-winning rider. Rating: 2/10

KOOL KOMPANY

Trainer: Richard Hannon. Jockey: Pat Smullen

Form: 42-184

Back from spell racing in Australia and won a Doncaster Listed race on his first race this season, but has been beaten in better grade twice since, albeit very unlucky trying to come from the back at Epsom on Derby Day. Rating: 6/10

LIGHTNING SPEAR

Trainer: David Simcock. Jockey: Jamie Spencer

Form: 6913-2

Beaten by Ribchester on his seasonal bow in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month, but stayed but did stay on pleasingly and fancied to get closer this time, if not turn the form around, on ground that should suit. Rating: 9/10

MUTAKAYYEF

Trainer: William Haggas. Jockey: Jim Crowley

Form: 1133-5

Ran well in the Juddmonte on his last British start in August, and again in the Woodbine Mile, but his Meydan reappearance wasn't his best (behind Ribchester) and he is another one who might be suited by a couple of extra furlongs. Rating: 6/10

OH THIS IS US

Trainer: Richard Hannon. Jockey: Pat Dobbs

Form: 521213

Improved in handicaps at the start of this season, and narrowly missed out on landing a massive gamble in the Lincoln, but this is a big step up in class and he looks likely to be found out. Rating: 4/10

RIBCHESTER

Trainer: Richard Fahey. Trainer:: William Buick

Form:: 312-31

Stamped himself as the country's leading older miler when romping away with the Lockinge in impressive fashion, but conditions will be very different at Royal Ascot and this is not the penalty kick the market might suggest. Rating: 9/10

TOSCANINI

Trainer: Richard Fahey. Jockey: Paul Hanagan

Form: 10-458

Was meant to be Ribchester's pacemaker in the Lockinge but missed the break and finished last. Could be set for the same role here, and would be no shock to see him finish in the same position. Rating: 1/10

MISS TEMPLE CITY

Trainer: Graham Motion (USA). Jockey: Edgar Prado

Form: 45151-

Third time lucky for the second American runner? She's run well in the Coronation Stakes and Duke of Cambridge Stakes the last two years, and getting back on fast ground will suit. She will out run her likely odds and definitely one to keep an eye on. Rating: 8/10

SPECTRE

Trainer: Markus Munch (Fra). Jockey: Stephane Pasquier

Form: 420-94

Trained in France by a former Bayern Munich defender and having her first run in Britain. Fourth behind Ribchester in the Prix Jacques le Marois last summer but has not gone forward in her two runs this season. Rating: 3/10

VERDICT:

If there was any cut in the ground, Ribchester would be even shorter than he is at the moment, but the question mark over very quick going means looking elsewhere for a little bit of value. That might just come from the two American runners in this race, and outsider AMERICAN PATRIOT could be the one to benefit most from coming off the likely strong pace. Miss Temple City should also run well in a race won by American superstar Tepin 12 months ago. Lightning Spear is a rock-solid hope for the home team and might be the biggest danger.

1 AMERICAN PATRIOT; 2 Lightning Spear; 3 Ribchester; 4 Miss Temple City