Talk Of New York and Ten Bob Tony clash in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day this weekend.
The mile division has been dominated by Bow Echo this season, however, his retirement may give someone else a chance from the Classic generation to get their day in the Group 1 sun.
Although this renewal of the race might not have a Frankel or Baaeed like it has in the past, it still promises to be an extremely competitive and high-class contest.
The big question when evaluating this race is: how good is the three-year-old form?
Was it not for Bow Echo, Aidan O'Brien's Gstaad would be a dual-Classic and four-time Group 1-winning colt, but, as it turns out, he hasn't seen the inside of the winner's enclosure since the end of May. His run in the Prix du Moulin last time out looked like a backwards step and he will need to bounce back from that disappointing showing.
Another of the three-year-old stars is Talk Of New York, only supplemented by connections this week off the back of a very smooth display in the Joel Stakes. The style of that performance was very important given his obvious quirks during his early races and, if they have unlocked the key to him, then the decision to supplement him could be prove a very shrewd one.
Representing France's Classic crop is Rayif, for the all-conquering Francis-Henri Graffard. He will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon for the very first time with Mickael Barzalona out suspended and got on the board at Group 1 level in the Prix Jacques le Marois last time out.
Just a neck behind him in Deauville was Zeus Olympios who will be hoping to turn the tables when he re-opposes on Saturday. Clifford Lee dropped the whip with a furlong to run over in France, a factor that could make all the difference given the fine margin of defeat. Frustrating in the early parts of the season, he got off the mark in the Summer Mile here in July and a return to Ascot may help.
One who we know for certain will be suited by the straight mile is returning Queen Anne winner Ten Bob Tony. At 50/1, it was quite the shock when he landed the Royal Ascot curtain-raiser, but since then he has held his form really well. Ed Walker's five-year-old finished fourth behind Bow Echo in the Sussex before passing all but Erdenali in the Moulin.
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes confirmed runners
- Dancing Gemini
- Docklands
- More Thunder
- Ten Bob Tony
- Zeus Olympios
- Gstaad
- Hawk Mountain
- Needle Match
- Rayif
- Talk Of New York
- Zavateri
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes odds
(Odds will display when market is available)
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
