14:30 Royal Ascot

Tuesday 19 June 2018

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:35

Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Str)

Off time: 14:34 | Winning time: 1m 38.85s

(4)

Accidental Agent³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 109| BF| C

33/1

Won a valuable handicap here in October and while he's not won since, he wasn't disgraced in the Lockinge last time when sixth of 14. Has a fair bit to find with the re-opposing winner and second though and propensity to miss the is break a worry.

Form: 2148-36

(11)

Beat The Bank³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: A M Balding| OR: 118| D

22/1

Highly progressive last year but well beaten here when well fancied on Champions' Day and too keen to do himself justice in the Lockinge last time. Has questions to answer at present and best form is on softer ground.

Form: 01110-0

(7)

Benbatl^t⁸⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: C Soumillon| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 123| C

11/4

Produced a career best performance to win the Dubai Turf in impressive fashion in March, a third Group success in four runs at Meydan this year. Won at this meeting last year and ought to be right there provided he copes with drop back to 1m.

Form: 56-1121

(12)

Century Dream^t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 112| CD

20/1

Progressive sort who improved again to win a Group 3 at the Derby meeting when last seen. Has a bit to find on form but he deserves a shot at this level and yard are flying in recent weeks.

Form: 611-011

(10)

Deauville^p³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 116| BF

16/1

US Grade 1 winner as a three-year-old and placed in Group 1 company last year. Ensured a good gallop for re-opposing stablemate in the Lockinge and likely to be performing a similar role here but he may be able to hang on for a place.

Form: 2300-25

(5)

Lightning Spear³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D M Simcock| OR: 120| D

10/1

Produced a career best performance when just narrowly touched off in the Lockinge by Rhododendron. Will need a strong pace to aim at again but that's entirely possible and shouldn't be far away.

Form: 31660-2

(3)

Limato³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: H Candy| OR: 119| C

12/1

Dual Group 1 winner and signed off his 2017 campaign with a smart effort in a Group 2 at Newmarket. Well beaten in the Lockinge when last seen though and it seems likely he's not quite as effective over 1m.

Form: 03241-0

(6)

Lord Glitters⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR: 107| BF| CD

20/1

Progressive sort and C&D winner who returned with a fine effort in the Lincoln without being a match for the winner. There's a suspicion we're yet to see the best of him but he's unraced on ground this fast and has a fair bit to find at this level.

Form: 11212-2

(9)

Oh This Is Us³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 110| BF| D

66/1

Listed winner who won a valuable handicap at Meydan in February and only just touched off in Listed class at Windsor on his return. Tends to hold his form well but has plenty to find at this level.

Form: 375-132

(1)

Recoletos²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: O Peslier| T: C Laffon-Parias| OR: 119| D

6/1

Produced a career best to win a Longchamp Group 1 last time, travelling well through the race and won going away. Fair to assume that wasn't the strongest Group 1 but the way he won was impressive and not one to rule out if he gets a pace to aim at.

Form: 3714-11

(8)

So Beloved^h²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: P Makin| T: D O'Meara| OR: 111| BF| D

100/1

Not won since winning a Listed race in 2016. Placed in a Group 1 at Chantilly last year but he's hard to fancy on his form from this season, merely placed in a York handicap last time and he's down the order on jockey bookings.

Form: 249-242

(2)

Suedois³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 116| D

33/1

Ended a losing run in a Group 2 at Leopardstown in September and followed up with a career best in a Grade 1 at Keeneland. Below form in the Lockinge last time but he's effective on fast ground when delivered at the right time. Yard's first-string.

Form: 33114-7

(13)

Yoshida⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jose Ortiz| T: William Mott| OR: 117| D

11/1

American raider who gained a first Grade 1 success on return from an absence at Churchill Downs last time. Impressive effort having been carried wide off the bend and there's a fair chance that there's more to come this season. Interesting runner.

Form: 15221-1

(15)

Zonderland³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 112| D

40/1

Wouldn't appear to be the easiest to train and just seen twice last year. Well beaten on two most recent runs in Group 1 company and likely to struggle.

Form: 812/28-0

(14)

Rhododendron³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118| D

10/3

Gained her third Group 1 success in the Lockinge last time out, holding on to deny Lightning Spear. This looks tougher but there's potentially more to come, she's ground versatile and she's the yard's first-string on jockey bookings. Should go well.

Form: P712-41

Forecasts

Benbatl (11/4), Rhododendron (10/3), Recoletos (6/1), Lightning Spear (10/1), Yoshida (11/1), Limato (12/1), Deauville (16/1), Lord Glitters (20/1), Century Dream (20/1), Beat The Bank (22/1), Accidental Agent (33/1), Suedois (33/1), Zonderland (40/1), Oh This Is Us (66/1), So Beloved (100/1)

A wide-open renewal of the Queen Anne Stakes to kick off Royal Ascot and an intriguing mix of proven performers at this level from both the UK and abroad. There was plenty to like about BENBATL's win in a high-class renewal of the Dubai Turf and he's been allowed time to recover from that run; he should be primed for this. Both Yoshida and Recoletos are both fascinating international runners arriving on the back of Grade/Group 1 success last time out and Rhododendron couldn't be ruled out if she improves from her win in the Lockinge last time. Century Dream brings a different profile in to the race but it would be no surprise to see him play some sort of role.