15:05 Ascot

Saturday 17 October 2020

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:15

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1) (Sponsored By Qipco) (Str)

Off time: 15:09 | Winning time: 1m 45.13s

(12)

Century Dream^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 117| BF| CD

14/1

Third in this in 2018. Disappointed last year but he's bounced back to very best in 2020, including easy win in soft-ground Goodwood Group 2. Went off too hard latest and likely still in form.

Form: 25-1515

(2)

Circus Maximus^b⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 120| CD

9/1

Won at the Royal meeting here for second year in succession when edging out Terebellum in Queen Anne. Type to bounce back from below-par run in Moulin but he was behind Palace Pier at Deauville.

Form: 14-1233

(11)

Dark Vision³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: W Buick| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 113| CD

80/1

Hunt Cup winner over C&D in June and has added a Pontefract listed and Baden-Baden Group 2 to his tally since. This demands more, though, and his very best has come away from the mud.

Form: 212161

(1)

Escobar^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 105| CD

100/1

Smart gelding who took the Balmoral over C&D (soft) on this card last year but there's little in his record to suggest he can play a prominent role at this much higher level.

Form: 037364

(8)

Lancaster House³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: S M Levey| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| D

100/1

Form: 117-120

(13)

Lord Glitters²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 113| CD

33/1

Enjoyed his finest hour when taking Queen Anne over C&D in 2019. Also won Balmoral on this card in 2017 but he's more of a place than win contender judged on his efforts this year.

Form: 89-4332

(10)

Roseman⁹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 114| D

28/1

Rounded off 3 -y-o season with heavy-ground listed win. Encouraging return when fourth in Queen Anne over C&D and given a bit of time since a disappointing run in France in July. Could bounce back.

Form: 1251-47

(9)

Sir Busker²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: W J Knight| OR: 111| CD

66/1

Big improver this year, including Silver Hunt Cup win over C&D. However, he was firmly put in his place by Century Dream in Celebration Mile at Goodwood and bit of a surprise if he's up to this level.

Form: 129220

(6)

The Revenant^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: P C Boudot| T: F Graffard| OR: 119| D

5/1

Classy colt who chased home King of Change in this 12 months ago. Not seen again taking Longchamp Group 2 14 days ago but that suggests he's every bit as good as last year. Likely to go well.

Form: 11112-1

(4)

Molatham³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Dane O'Neill| T: R Varian| OR: 111| C

40/1

Looked a very smart prospect when landing Jersey over 7f here in June. Bit underwhelming in France next time but back on track when 2 lengths third in Doncaster Group 2 since. Second attempt at 1m.

Form: 114-153

(14)

Nazeef¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 115| CD

10/1

Most likeable filly who landed Duke of Cambridge over C&D in June and has taken 1m record to 6-6 when adding Falmouth and Sun Chariot at Newmarket since. Testing ground fine. Should give good account.

Form: 111391

(5)

Palace Pier⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 126| CD

8/11

Unbeaten in 5 starts, taking step up to Group 1 level in stride when seeing off Pinatubo in St James's Palace here. Proved himself on testing ground when taking Jacques Le Marois at Deauville since.

Form: 11-111

(7)

Royal Dornoch^t³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Colin Keane| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| D

80/1

Royal Lodge winner at 2. Added a Curragh Group 3 in August but his latest fourth in Leopardstown Group 2 was no more than respectable. Others preferred.

Form: 51-0714

(3)

Veracious^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 110| D

50/1

Group 1 Falmouth winner last year when also fourth in this race. Returned with Haydock listed win in August but didn't see her race out on heavy ground in Sun Chariot at Newmarket since.

Form: 4124-19

Forecasts

Palace Pier (8/11), The Revenant (5/1), Circus Maximus (9/1), Nazeef (10/1), Century Dream (14/1), Roseman (28/1), Lord Glitters (33/1), Molatham (40/1), Veracious (50/1), Sir Busker (66/1), Dark Vision (80/1), Royal Dornoch (80/1), Escobar (100/1), Lancaster House (100/1)

It's very hard to ignore the claims of PALACE PIER who has proved he handles this sort of ground and can make it 6-6 and provide John Gosden with a third winner in the last 4 years. Last year's second The Revenant looks set to play a prominent role again after his recent reappearance win, while Circus Maximus is held by Palace Pier on Deauville form but his 2-2 track record affords him respect.