Royal Ascot Day 1 (Tuesday) - Queen Anne

2.30 Royal Ascot
Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)
Pick: Goldikova
Alexandaros: Class horse at his best, with his Lockinge Stakes second the highlight of his runs last year; Has seemingly retained that form judged on his Group 2 win a Group 2 second at Meydan in Dubai but he was seemingly out classed and his good Diomed Stakes second did nothing to disperse that impression.

Arabian Gleam: Twice a winner of the Park Stakes under Johnny Murtagh, and ran well enough when attempting for a hat – trick, before taking Challenge Stakes in gutsy style; Those are all good efforts but he was well beaten seventh in this last year and race looks much stronger this year.

Calming Influence: Improved on all his previous form to run out an impressive winner of the Godolphin Mile and become first winner for rapidly improving yard of Mamhood Al Zarooni yard; Did benefit from good draw and well judged ride from Ahmed Ajtebi, not to mention compromising draw for others; Would need to improve a ton off that to win here though.

Cat Juinor: Consistent horse who has been hard to win with, despite a number of good runs in strong company; Looked good when winning Group 3 at Meydan but disappointed when ninth behind Calming Influence and unlikely to reverse form with Paco Boy form last time.

Dalghar: Steadily progressive and well-bred half-brother to Dalakhani and Daylami who has always been held in highest regard by powerful connections; Booked his ticket here when leaving powerful impression in Prix du Palais-Royal last time, always travelling sweetly accelerating well to win with something in hand; No reason why he can’t make major impression, even in race of this quality.

Dream Eater: Excellent 5th in 2,000 Guineas 2 years ago before then finishing 3rd in the Jersey Stakes, suffering a setback afterwards; Has continued to run some consistent races at decent level and also made good return last month; However was only fifth in this last year and this renewal much tougher.

Quqba: Really took off in 2009, improving from handicap company in April to a very near miss in Group 2 at Newmarket in October; Still improving rapidly based on his Lockinge Stakes second to Paco Boy, although he did get first run and was comfortably beaten.

Paco Boy: Top class and well established miler who embarrassed field in this last year and looked just as good when landing Bet365 and Lockinge Stakes this season; Seems to be in top form, and must take a big hand in defending his title.
Pipedreamer: Ran very creditably last season in top class company, winning the Prix Dollar at Longchamp and then coming excellent fourth in Champion Stakes; Ran good race last time but will have some task on beating the reopposing horses from Lockinge, let alone winning.

Rip Van Winkle: Highly regarded horse who finally put it all together last season, when romping away with Sussex Stakes, beating Paco Boy solidly and used class to put him through QE11 Stakes, beating Zacinto;’ Would have to be given a major chance on his form and may still improve with clearer run but to be coming her without a run could really give him a major problem.

Zacinto: Looked classy from word go but restricted to 6 starts, scoring well in listed race on belated return before second (didn't settle) to Delegator at Goodwood; Improved majorly on that when Giving Rip Van Winkle a real race in the QEII Stakes at Ascot; Took a bad step in Breeder’s Cup Mile (didn’t like the track) so that run can be discounted and still very much unexposed even despite his Lockinge blow out last time; Will need to be right back to best but no reason that he can’t be and can go well here.

Goldikova: Eight time Group 1 winner who had arguably her best season ever last summer, lowing out first time up before winning the Falmouth before going on to trash high class fields, one containing fillies, (Prix Rotschild) one containing colts (Prix Jacques Le Marois) , putting up 2 of the best miling performances seen in years in process; Impressive on her reappearance run in Prix D'Ishphan, and actually won, despite having finished seventh in that last year; That shows she is in top form and can take all the beating here.

VERDICT: A simply wonderful race to open a simply wonderful meeting and whom better to kick off our meeting than the simply incredible GOLIKOVA, who was the best miler in the world last season and looked as if she may even be able to improve on that when landing the Prix D’Isphan on her reappearance, a race which may well have been much needed. She has 2 huge threats in the shape of Paco Boy and Rip Van Winkle, with Paco Boy coming first under the microscope. He looks better than her this season, but he has been beaten by Goldikova before and while he’s a better horse, so is she. Rip Van Winkle could do great things at a mile this year with a clear training run but coming here without a run could prove to be his downfall. While the likes of Quqba and Zacinto can hardly be ignored, the improving DALGHAR is the outsider to watch apart from the big three. He broke the track record for 7f at Longchamp last time and has always been well thought of by connections who have handled some powerful, powerful horses.