15:10 Ascot

Saturday 16 October 2021

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:5016:30

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

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 1m 42.57s

(4)

Benbatl^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 117| BF| C| D

33/1

Capable of high-class form. Still retains plenty of ability judged on his 2 starts this season, runner-up in the Celebration Mile before going better in the latest running of the Joel Stakes.

Form: 1133-21

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(3)

Lord Glitters⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 115| BF| CD

80/1

Won the Queen Anne Stakes over C&D back in 2019. Registered his first wins since in the Singspiel Stakes and the Jebel Hatta at Meydan early this year but a Group 1 of this calibre is beyond him.

Form: 164424

(8)

Njord^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 110| BF| CD

100/1

Smart performer who won the Balmoral Handicap over C&D in 2020. Yet to win this season and could hardly have found a tougher race to attempt to break that sequence.

Form: 228340

(5)

Palace Pier⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 125| CD

6/4

Top-class performer who has met with defeat only once in 10 starts, that coming in this race a year ago. Bounced back in no uncertain style this term, completing 4-timer in the Prix Jacques le Marois.

Form: 13-1111

(2)

The Revenant^h¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: O Peslier| T: F Graffard| OR: 116| CD

13/2

High-class performer who has a good record in this race, finishing second in 2019 before going one place better in 2020. Shaped well when seeking his third win in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein latest.

Form: 2/11-342

(10)

Baaeed⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 121| D

2/1

Only made his debut in June but has effortlessly climbed the ranks, producing a Group 3 performance of rare merit when successful at Goodwood before completing 5-timer in the Prix du Moulin.

Form: 11111

(6)

Lady Bowthorpe⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: K Shoemark| T: W Jarvis| OR: 117| BF| CD

40/1

Very smart mare who made a winning reappearance in the Dahlia Stakes before chasing home Palace Pier in the Lockinge. Deserved Group 1 success in the Nassau but rare below-par run latest.

Form: 122417

(7)

Master Of The Seas²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 117| BF| D

11/1

Craven Stakes winner who was a short-head second to Poetic Flare in 2000 Guineas. Suffered a minor setback after but shaped with plenty of encouragement when third in the Joel Stakes. Hood off.

Form: 14-2123

(1)

Alcohol Free⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 119| CD

10/1

Royal Ascot winner who produced career-best effort in the Sussex Stakes, displaying the best turn of foot to see off Poetic Flare. Seemingly failed to stay in the International at York.

Form: 151316

(9)

Mother Earth¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114| BF| D

33/1

Has raced exclusively in Group 1 company in 2021, notably winning the 1000 Guineas in May and the Prix Rothschild at Deauville in August. Placed all other starts but this asks a big question.

Form: 232132

Forecasts

Palace Pier (6/4), Baaeed (2/1), The Revenant (13/2), Alcohol Free (10/1), Master Of The Seas (11/1), Mother Earth (33/1), Benbatl (33/1), Lady Bowthorpe (40/1), Lord Glitters (80/1), Njord (100/1)

Potentially the race of the day, with established top-notcher PALACE PIER taking on the up-and-coming Baaeed. The former has a score to settle in this race having met with his only defeat here a year ago and the level he is consistently capable of tilts the scales his way. Baaeed is unbeaten and his ceiling hasn't been hit, with 2020 winner The Revenant deserving of serious respect, too.