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A horse-by-horse guide to the 1m Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday…
1 – Charyn (R Varian/ S De Sousa)
Explosive winner of the 1m Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. Won impressively at Deauville in the 1m Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois. A worthy favourite, but age-based trends and giving weight to younger rivals go against him here. Has very strong claims if he can defy convention.
2 – Checkandchallenge (W J Knight/ C Soumillon)
Well campaigned five-year-old gelding. Beat Facteur Cheval in the 7f Group 3 Prix Daphne Stakes at Deauville back in 2022 but form has since nosedived. Will have to give a career best and then some in order to feature here. Not the pick of the older horses.
3 – Facteur Cheval (J Reynier/ M Guyon)
Impressive 1m1f winner of the Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in March. Only managed sixth in the 1m G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot however ground went against the gelding that day. With soft ground forecast, it would be unsurprising to see the French raider feature. Interesting with conditions to suit.
4 – Lord Massusus (J G Murphy/ G F Carroll)
A smart sort in lesser company. Handles the mud well as seen in wins in handicaps at Listowel and the Curragh. This is probably a step too far.
5 – Poker Face (S&E Crisford/ J Doyle)
A smart performer, although winless this season. Ran near to his top mark when beaten favourite behind Ice Max in the 1m Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood. Subsequently comprehensively beaten by Prague in the 1m Group 2 Dubai Joel Stakes at Newmarket. Up against it and has plenty to find.
6 – Prague (D Cunha/ D Tudhope)
Last time out winner of the 1m Group 2 Dubai Joel Stakes at Newmarket. Looks a progressive type and has form on soft going. While this would be a fairytale result for the Cunha team, these are deeper waters. Respected.
7 – Quddwah (S&E Crisford/ W Buick)
Strong winner of the 7f Group 2 Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot in July. Blotted his copybook when beaten resoundingly by Charyn in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville. Unknown quantity on the ground but pedigree indicates it should be no concern. Will have to improve to reverse the form with the favourite.
8 – Dancing Gemini (R A Teal/ T Marquand)
Smart performer at two who has since failed to kick on as a three-year-old. Placed second behind Metropolitan in the 1m Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp in May. Has since done little more than make up the numbers in Group company. One to bypass.
9 – Henry Longfellow (A P O'Brien/ R L Moore)
An unusual sole entry for O'Brien and Coolmore. Second highest ranked on official ratings but has failed to live up to the hype of a stellar two-year-old season, which included Group 1 honours in the 1m National Stakes at the Curragh. Resolutely beaten behind Charyn last time out in the 1m Group 1 Prix du Moulin and is hard to fancy to win off the back of it. Could make the frame.
10 – Ice Max (K R Burke/ C Lee)
Improver who won the 1m Group 2 Celebration Mile Stakes at Goodwood on soft ground. Unimpressive when finishing nine lengths adrift behind Prague last time out in the Group 2 Dubai Joel Stakes at Newmarket. Place claims if he can recapture the Goodwood form and conditions will suit. Probably finds a few too good.
11 – Metropolitan (M Baratti/ C Demuro)
Soft ground 1m Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner who subsequently ran a good race to take third in the 1m Group 1 St James' Palace Stakes at Ascot. Since beaten by Charyn but gets his conditions here. Looks a more enticing prospect altogether given the weather. Should be in the money.
12 – Sirona (D Menuisier/ R Ryan)
Got off the mark for the season in Listed company at Newmarket last time out. This is a huge step up in class and it would be very surprising to see her in contention.
13 – Tamfana (D Menuisier/ O Murphy)
High-class filly who impressively won the 1m Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket last time out, beating multiple Group 1 winner Inspiral, as well as Classic winner Elmalka. The ground ought to pose no problems and she can run a big race here. More to come.