15:05 Ascot

Saturday 21 October 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0515:4516:25

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

Off time: 15:08 | Winning time: 1m 44.58s

(1)

Angel Bleu⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 113| D

40/1

Dual Group 1 winner as a juvenile. First success since when edging ahead late on in 7f Haydock listed race in June and as good as ever when winning Celebration Mile at Goodwood 8 weeks ago. Plenty to find here but the more rain the better his chances.

Form: 261741

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(11)

Checkandchallenge^v²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: W J Knight| OR: 112| D

40/1

Three-time winner (including a 1m Group 3) but is often highly tried and this will prove another step too far.

Form: 4-48745

(8)

Facteur Cheval⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: M Barzalona| T: J Reynier| OR: 113| D

14/1

Smart French gelding who's acquitted himself well in defeat this season, placed in Group 1s last 3 starts. Conditions will suit but seems destined to find one or two too good at this level.

Form: 1-32323

(6)

Big Rock⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Aurelien Lemaitre| T: C H Head| OR: 118| BF

5/1

Smart French performer who completed 4-timer in Group 3 at Chantilly. Better form when runner-up in 3 Group 1s since, namely Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville and Prix du Moulin at Longchamp. Handles soft and likely to be in the mix again.

Form: 111222

(9)

Chaldean¹⁰⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: L Dettori| T: A M Balding| OR: 119| BF| D

10/1

Frankel colt who progressed at a rate of knots last season, completing the 4-timer in Dewhurst at Newmarket. Resumed winning ways in 2000 Guineas at Newmarket but was quickly brushed aside by Paddington in St James's Palace at Royal Ascot. Well held in Prix Jean Prat since. Off 104 days.

Form: 11-U127

(4)

Epictetus^p²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 112| BF| D

100/1

Looked suited by the drop back to 1m when stylish winner of Group 3 at Glorious Goodwood (soft) but hasn't kicked on since. Headgear back on. Firmly up against it.

Form: 550154

(2)

Hi Royal^p1⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: K A Ryan| OR: 114| D

100/1

Huge improvement when 1¾ lengths second of 14 to Chaldean in 2000 Guineas (125/1) at Newmarket (8f, heavy) but has gone backwards since. Easy to oppose.

Form: 1-42399

(3)

Nashwa⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Hollie Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 121| D

5/1

Excellent record in the top fillies/mares' races, landing a third Group 1 in the Falmouth at Newmarket impressively. Excuses when going for a second Nassau next time before excellent placed efforts in Juddmonte (ahead of Paddington) at York and Irish Champion at Leopardstown. Big shout.

Form: 421323

(5)

Paddington⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 125| BF| CD

7/4

Superbly campaigned and has developed into one of the leading 3-y-os, landing his fourth successive Group 1 in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood (heavy). Lost little in defeat in Juddmonte International at York since and strong chance of resuming winning ways.

Form: 111113

(7)

Rogue Millennium²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: Tom Clover| OR: 110| CD

50/1

Back to winning ways in Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Posted a good 1¼ lengths second to Tahiyra in Matron Stakes at Leopardstown but disappointed in France either side of that. This looks too demanding.

Form: 321520

(10)

Tahiyra⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 118| CD

7/2

Clear of the remainder when second in the 1000 Guineas on return, her only defeat, and kept on readily when landing the Irish equivalent at the Curragh. Added further Group 1s to her tally in Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and Matron at Leopardstown, so must be respected taking on the males.

Form: 11-2111

Forecasts

Paddington (7/4), Tahiyra (7/2), Big Rock (5/1), Nashwa (5/1), Chaldean (10/1), Facteur Cheval (14/1), Checkandchallenge (40/1), Angel Bleu (40/1), Rogue Millennium (50/1), Epictetus (100/1), Hi Royal (100/1)

NASHWA's turn of foot proved to be a potent weapon dropped back to 1m when an impressive winner of the Falmouth at Newmarket and she has since run some huge races in defeat back up in trip, notably when finishing a neck in front of Paddington in the Juddmonte International. A stiff 1m is ideal for the Gosden filly and she looks the value call with leading 3-y-o Paddington likely to be a warm favourite once again. Classy 3-y-o filly Tahiyra is another big player.