17:35 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 21 June 2023

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:3518:10

Queen's Vase (Group 2)

Off time: 17:36 | Winning time: 3m 3.13s

(12)

Batemans Bay²⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James McDonald| T: R M Beckett| OR: 101

33/1

Shaped like a stayer on debut and duly improved for the extra furlong when winning Haydock novice. Ran well upped in grade/trip again when fourth in Zetland Stakes at Newmarket (10f, good) 8 months ago (gelded since) but this is a tough starting point for his 3-y-o campaign.

Form: 514-

(7)

Chesspiece³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 101

11/2

Overcame greenness to make a winning start last year and has progressed on both subsequent outings, keeping on strongly to land a handicap at York last time. Sure to stay and makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 1-31

(5)

Circle of Fire³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 102

8/1

Highly promising son of Almanzor who built on his debut third when impressively landing 1m Salisbury novice in September. Placed in better company since, shaping well from a poor position when third in Derby Trial at Lingfield last time, and seems likely to be on the premises again up in trip.

Form: 31-23

(9)

Etna Rosso³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 98

33/1

Made a winning start at Limerick in April and acquitted himself well when second to Peking Opera in a listed contest at Navan since. Further progress on the cards and not out of place in this grade.

Form: 12

(8)

Gregory²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 110

1/1

Made an impressive winning start and confirmed that he's an excellent prospect when landing a listed race at Goodwood with something to spare last time. Well on top at the finish that day and more to come upped in trip, so lots to like under Dettori.

Form: 11

(11)

Hadrianus²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C Johnston| OR: 102

33/1

AW maiden winner in December who has improved in a higher grade this year, third to Gregory in a listed event at Goodwood last time. Hard to see him reversing that form, though.

Form: 21-233

(14)

Ndaawi³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 96

125/1

Has some solid form but found his limitations exposed when sixth of 8 in the Derby Trial at Lingfield last month. Has plenty to find.

Form: 3117-6

(13)

Nurburgring^t³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Mikey Sheehy| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 96

80/1

Off the mark at Navan in April and far from disgraced when fifth in a listed event at the same track last time. Much more required if he's to get involved in this, however.

Form: 6-15

(6)

Peking Opera³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 99

6/1

Off the mark at the second attempt, then upped his form again to make a successful return (with Etna Rosso behind) at Navan last time. More to come at this trip and connections always demand respect at this meeting.

Form: 21-1

(4)

Saint George¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 93

10/1

Progressive sort who arrives on a hat-trick having comfortably landed an 8-runner event at Doncaster last time. This is tougher, but further improvement can't be ruled out.

Form: 5-311

(10)

Steven Seagull^v1²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Darragh Keenan| T: J Ryan| OR: 46

400/1

Modest maiden who looks well out of his depth in this company.

Form: 89-2536

(1)

St Vincents Garden¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 94

22/1

Off the mark at the third attempt in maiden at Fairyhouse recently and, while this is much tougher, he shapes as if he will be well suited by the longer trip.

Form: 361

(3)

Think First¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: N Callan| T: J Tate| OR: 95

125/1

Useful colt who produced his best effort to date when fifth to Saint George in a handicap at Doncaster last time. Boasts a progressive profile but will likely be outclassed in this company.

Form: 116-455

(2)

Sumo Sam^t¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: K Stott| T: P & O Cole| OR: 96

66/1

Nathaniel filly who scored on her debut at Newmarket before posting an excellent second in 10f listed race there. Bit disappointing since but bred to get this far.

Form: 1-253

Forecasts

Gregory (1/1), Chesspiece (11/2), Peking Opera (6/1), Circle of Fire (8/1), Saint George (10/1), St Vincents Garden (22/1), Etna Rosso (33/1), Batemans Bay (33/1), Hadrianus (33/1), Sumo Sam (66/1), Nurburgring (80/1), Think First (125/1), Ndaawi (125/1), Steven Seagull (400/1)

GREGORY has made a big impression on both starts to date and he's the sort to relish the extra distance, so he's an obvious choice to maintain his unbeaten record. Circle of Fire did well to get third from an unpromising position in the Derby Trial at Lingfield, so he's feared, while Peking Opera strikes as the best of the Irish challengers.