15:05 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 18 June 2025

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

Queen's Vase (Group 2)

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 2m 59.53s

(1)

Al Wasl Storm¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 86

80/1

Made all in 1½m Chester maiden last month but tailed off in the Derby since and likely firmly up against it again here.

Form: 7210

(13)

Asmarani²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: M Barzalona| T: F Graffard| OR: 105| BF

4/1

Won 1½m Saint-Cloud maiden (soft) on second start and improved again when second in 11f Longchamp Group 3 (good to soft) since. Today's likely quicker ground asks a different question but there's more to come from him with the longer trip promising to suit.

Form: 212

(4)

Carmers^b³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Billy Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 100

9/2

Quickly made up into a useful performer this spring, with wins in Ballinrobe maiden and a Navan listed event (both 13f, good) last month. Pulled 3 lengths clear in the latter and should be capable of even better after only 2 starts.

Form: 11

(9)

Devil's Advocate^p³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107

9/1

Disappointing when only sixth in 1¼m Epsom listed race on reappearance but quickly back on the up with cheekpieces added (retained) when 3¼ lengths fourth to Pride of Arras in Dante at York (1¼m, good) last month. This much longer trip an unknown but unlikely he's reached his limit after 4 starts.

Form: 31-64

(2)

Furthur⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 92

20/1

Readily off the mark in 11f Newbury maiden on reappearance in April and not seen to best effect (had a wide trip) when 10½ lengths fifth to Derby 1-2 Lambourn and Lazy Griff in Chester Vase (1½m, good) since.

Form: 72-15

(8)

Hallelujah U^p³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: James Owen| OR: 81

80/1

Came good in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when seeing off 6 rivals in 1½m Thirsk handicap last month but a big chunk of improvement will be needed if he's to follow up in this much higher grade.

Form: 651-341

(5)

Pinhole⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: R M Beckett| OR: 93

4/1

Frankel colt built on debut promise (for Sir Michael Stoute) when easily taking 1m novice at Southwell in December. Beaten 10 lengths into fourth by Lambourn in the Chester Vase (1½m, good) on reappearance but he should come on for the run and remains with potential.

Form: 51-4

(10)

Rahiebb³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian| OR: 92

9/1

Frankel colt who overcame considerable greenness to make a winning debut in 1m novice at Newcastle in March and has improved when runner-up on all 3 outings since, shaping well when second on 1½m York handicap debut last month. The step up to 1¾m should be right up his street. Considered.

Form: 1222

(7)

Scandinavia³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 90

16/1

Off the mark at the fourth time of asking in maidens when making all on 1¼m Navan reappearance 32 days ago. Has plenty to find on form but leaves the impression longer trips will bring about more improvement.

Form: 327-1

(3)

Shackleton²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 101| BF

9/2

Camelot colt who wasn't seen to best effect when 2¾ lengths fourth of 5 in Group 3 Gallinule on Curragh reappearance (1¼m, good) 26 days ago. Remains open to improvement now stepping up significantly in trip for a top stable with a good record in this.

Form: 2213-4

(11)

Spinning Wheel²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Davies| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 96

25/1

Postponed gelding who has looked a very useful prospect when winning novices at Beverley (1¼m) and Yarmouth (11.5f) this spring. The type to keep on improving as his stamina is drawn out.

Form: 11

(6)

Titanium Emperor¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Egan| T: A Murray| OR: 98

33/1

Useful form, including good 4 lengths fourth of 9 to Zahrann in listed race at Leopardstown (1½m, good) 13 days ago. Not sure to benefit from the 2f longer trip now.

Form: 1564

(12)

Too Soon²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: G & J Moore| OR: 98

66/1

Progressive at 2. Met some trouble when 13 lengths sixth of 8 to Amiloc in listed race at Goodwood (11f, good) on reappearance 25 days ago. Up 3f in trip. Improvement will be needed.

Form: 5314-6

Forecasts

Pinhole (4/1), Asmarani (4/1), Carmers (9/2), Shackleton (9/2), Rahiebb (9/1), Devil's Advocate (9/1), Scandinavia (16/1), Furthur (20/1), Spinning Wheel (25/1), Titanium Emperor (33/1), Too Soon (66/1), Hallelujah U (80/1), Al Wasl Storm (80/1)

Roger Varian took this with subsequent St Leger hero Eldar Eldarov in 2022 and might be good for another Queen's Vase success courtesy of RAHIEBB, who has improved with each start and promises to relish the step up to 1¾m. Like the selection, Asmarani has made good progress in his short career and is second choice ahead of Shackleton, the mount of Ryan Moore from the Aidan O'Brien pair, and Carmers.