15:40 Royal Ascot

Saturday 24 June 2023

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

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 1m 12.42s

(12)

Al Suhail^h⁹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 118| BF

14/1

Has his quirks but as good as ever at Meydan earlier in the year, winning twice before close third in Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (neck behind The Astrologist). Bit to find with some of these, however.

Form: 537-113

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(8)

Artorius^v³²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: James McDonald| T: A & S Freedman| OR: 118| D

4/1

Smart performer in Australia, better than ever when successful in Group 1 at Randwick (6.5f) in March. Went close in this last year and likely to make another bold bid.

Form: 3/66336-

(11)

Art Power²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: T D Easterby| OR: 114| BF| C| D

12/1

Very smart gelding whose last 3 wins have come at the Curragh, including when producing a career best performance in Greenlands Stakes (6f, good) 28 days ago by 4¾ lengths. Has gone well at this track before so not taken lightly.

Form: 8366-81

(7)

Big Invasion¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: Christophe Clement| OR: 111| D

12/1

Prolific in the US and ran very well stepped up to this level when runner-up in a Grade 1 at Belmont (6f) 2 weeks ago, finishing well from much further back than the other principals. Probably still improving so not to be underestimated.

Form: 113-172

(4)

Cannonball^p1,t⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: P & P Snowden| OR: 107| D

50/1

Smart Australian sprinter who won Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (Handicap) at Rosehill in March. However, well held in King's Stand here on Tuesday so easy to look elsewhere. Change of headgear.

Form: 843-130

(5)

Coeur De Pierre²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: T Piccone| T: M Delcher Sanchez| OR: 110| D

80/1

Better than ever last season, winning listed event at Deauville and Group 3 at Chantilly. Also close third of 19 in Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp. Excuses on return but this probably too demanding.

Form: 0/1231-9

(14)

Emaraaty Ana³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: N Callan| T: K A Ryan| OR: 113| DWS

33/1

Group 1 winner over 6f in 2021 and placed in the last 2 renewals of the Nunthorpe. Probably needed his comeback run at York last month but was well held in this 12 months ago (a lesser test at this trip perhaps ideal).

Form: 06322-9

(2)

Khaadem²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Spencer| T: C Hills| OR: 108| D

80/1

Smart gelding. Good ½-length third of 9 to Run To Freedom in listed race at Salisbury (6f, good to firm) 28 days ago but not up to this level, nowadays.

Form: 49-0603

(1)

Kinross²³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: L Dettori| T: R M Beckett| OR: 119| CD

6/1

Thrived last season, completing 4-timer in Champions Sprint over C&D (good to soft) in October. Only eighth in this last year when the ground was fast, however, so may prove vulnerable unless there's rain.

Form: 211113-

(10)

Rohaan²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: P D Evans| OR: 112| CD

12/1

Very smart gelding who has an excellent record here (4-time C&D winner), winning the Wokingham at this meeting for the last 2 seasons. Also won a Group 3 in October before good fourth to Kinross in Champions Sprint. Well held at Salisbury on return but expected to leave that behind.

Form: 47314-8

(13)

Run To Freedom^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Dane O'Neill| T: H Candy| OR: 113| D

28/1

Smart horse who proved all the better for his return when a narrow winner of listed race at Salisbury 4 weeks ago. However, limitations exposed at this level before (tenth in this last year).

Form: 1942-41

(6)

The Astrologist^t,v1¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Damian Lane| T: L & T Corstens| OR: 115| D

50/1

Group 3 winner in Australia who ran a screamer when runner-up in Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in March, just failing. Bit disappointing in Duke of York Stakes but back on track when second in Haydock Group 3. Likely to find a few too strong here, however.

Form: 1-06272

(15)

Wellington⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: R Gibson| OR: 118| D

7/1

High-class sprinter at best in Hong Kong, winning 4 Group 1s (3 at 6f and the other at 7f), the most recent coming in the Hong Kong Sprint in December under this rider. Not quite hit those heights this year but still a major player here.

Form: 61-2323

(16)

Highfield Princess⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 119| BF| C| D

11/4

High-class mare who won 5 times in a brilliant 2022 campaign, 3 of them at Group 1 level, including the Nunthorpe at York. Decent start to this campaign, runner-up under a penalty in Group 2 at York before filling same spot in King's Stand here on Tuesday. Only sixth in this last year, however.

Form: 1114-22

(3)

Sacred^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 113| BF

9/1

Smart mare who made a winning return in Group 3 at Lingfield in good style 6 weeks ago by 2¼ lengths from Sandrine. Probably best at 7f but ran a screamer when a close fifth in this last year. Respected.

Form: 55612-1

(9)

Sandrine²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 107| BF| CD

50/1

Smart filly who won Group 2 (7f) at Goodwood last season. Respectable 2¼ lengths second of 8 to Sacred in Chartwell Stakes at Lingfield (7f, AW) on return but looked unsuited by the drop back to 6f at Salisbury next time.

Form: 3139-25

Forecasts

Highfield Princess (11/4), Artorius (4/1), Kinross (6/1), Wellington (7/1), Sacred (9/1), Art Power (12/1), Big Invasion (12/1), Rohaan (12/1), Al Suhail (14/1), Run To Freedom (28/1), Emaraaty Ana (33/1), The Astrologist (50/1), Sandrine (50/1), Cannonball (50/1), Khaadem (80/1), Coeur De Pierre (80/1)

With conditions likely to be on the quick side, Australian-raider ARTORIUS makes the most appeal. He was a strong-finishing third in this race last year and looked better than ever when successful in a Group 1 at Randwick in March. Wellington is another from overseas who is high on the shortlist, while everything is in place for another big run from Rohaan at this meeting.