Queen's Vase Odds: Aidan O'Brien holds strong hand at Royal Ascot

Aidan O'Brien has won the Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot seven times since 2007 and the meeting's all-time leading trainer accounts for a third of the field this year.

The likes of Mahler, Leading Light, Kew Gardens and Santiago have all won this for the Ballydoyle handler, though he hasn't bagged the 1m6f contest since 2020.

He's got four of the dozen contenders this year and will be hoping one of his quartet can come home in front.

Can the likes of Meydaan, Birdman or Mina Rashid thwart O'Brien's team? Here's a look at the contenders for the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.

Queen's Vase Odds

(Odds will display when the market is available)

Illinois

The choice of Ryan Moore from the O'Brien contingent. He won readily on debut at the Curragh last season on soft ground and was then beaten a length in a French Group 1 as stablemate Los Angeles won.

Two good efforts in decent races this season, most recently when second behind Ambiente Friendly in the Lingfield Derby Trial. The winner was second in the Epsom Classic since and today's rival Meydaan was a long way behind in third at Lingfield.

Highbury

Ballydoyle's second string according to the market and the mount of Wayne Lordan. Third behind re-opposing Birdman on debut at Cork (1m4f, soft) and since run out a very impressive winner of a Leopardstown maiden (1m4f, good). That form has taken some boosts since.

Birdman

Already gelded son of Free Eagle won that Cork maiden in good style with Highbury behind in third and then backed it up by scoring in a Listed race over 1m5f a Leopardstown in May. Going the right way for Jessica Harrington and merits a crack at this.

Grosvenor Square

Third contender for Ballydoyle, the mount of Dylan McMonagle. Smart form last season, winning 2-3 and running well in a Curragh Group 2 in between times. Sent off favourite for the Chester Vase on comeback but could only finish third as the ill-fated Hidden Law produced a classy finish to win.

Meydaan

Son of Frankel won on debut at Newcastle on the Tapeta in November before being well held in a Newmarket novice in April on turf bow. Stepped up on that when third in Lingfield's Derby Trial and while that leaves ground to make on Illinois, he has since prevailed in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood so remains on an upward curve.

Mina Rashid

Didn't show much in two runs last year but much-improved when winning a valuable maiden at the Chester May Festival over 1m4½f (good to firm) as his stamina really kicked in late on. Retains his partnership with Oisin Murphy and the rider is already a Group 1 winner here this week.

The Equator

Final piece of the Ballydoyle jigsaw and has Declan McDonagh for company. Won a heavy-ground Leopardstown maiden over 1m2f and since a well-held fourth in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh over the same trip and needs a jump forward going up in distance.

Imperial Sovereign

Mile all-weather novice winner at Newcastle in December's debut and ran well under a penalty at Kempton in March up in trip when just denied. Faded from the front in the Lingfield Derby Trial on turf bow, leaving him work to do with some of these.

Pappano

Nathaniel colt has just a Wolverhampton novice over 1m4f to show for four runs. Long way behind the principles in the Chester Vase and similarly well held in the Goodwood Listed event won by Meydaan since. In top hands but has lots of improvement to find on paper.

Lavender Hill Mob

More exposed than a good few of these rivals, took the notable scalp of progressive Portsmouth in a Goodwood handicap (1m2f, heavy) last month with a couple of next-time-out winners in behind.

He was only fourth as Meydaan won the Cocked Hat back there since and while he didn't get the clearest of runs, it leaves him with work to do.

Sea The Green

Postponed colt is improving with each start and won a Catterick maiden (1m4f, soft) last month on third start, albeit pulling out the stops to justify odds-on favouritism. All to do on paper coming into this company on much faster ground.

Mr Hampstead

Galileo colt was only within two lengths of Mina Rashid in a Chester maiden last month, his best effort in three to that point. Contested the Epsom Derby since having moved from Roger Varian and came home in his own time for Amo Racing.

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.