Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By Sony) 2010

Ascot 4.15

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By Sony) (Group 1) (Rnd) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £172,075

Pick: Makfi (win)

Bushman: Lightly raced and good sort who has always been talented and finally put it together at pattern level earlier this year, winning listed contest and then Diomed Stakes; Built on that even when second in York Stakes last time but likely to be found wanting at this level, as was shown by his last placed finish in the Juddmonte International.

Rip Van Winkle: Finally put it all together last season, when putting together string of high class efforts before romping away with Sussex last year, before using sheer class to put him through this very race, beating Zacinto; Been hit and miss since but valid excuses having been over the top at Breeder’s Cup, before needing the run when sixth in Queen Anne; Ran a very good race when close second to Canford Cliffs and showed best when getting up in last moments of International Stakes; Well beaten by Cape Blanco in Irish Champion but this more suitbale test; Only worry is that he may have lost all freshness.

Air Chief Marshal: Has won races this season, incuding doing a double in 2 weeks culiminating in a Group 3; Is here as pacemaker though.


Beethoven: Grew with every run last year, eventually winning the Dewhurst and was unlucky when shafted in Breeder’s Cup at first turn; Had done well in tough tasks this season and same thing set to happen again.

Hearts Of Fire: Got much better with experience as a 2 year old despite being forward enough to win Brocklesby on debut, also improving for step up in trip when landing Group 1 over a mile in Italy; Dissapointed on comeback run in 2,000 Guineas but showed that all wrong when third in St James Palace Stakes (having been short for room at a crucial stage); Has been well below that since though, and this toughest test he's ever faced (already beaten by Makfi).

Makfi: Impressed when taking his maiden and confirmed promise when taking Prix Dejibel in impressive style before causing major shock when confirming himself colt out of top drawer when landing 2,000 Guineas; Disappointing when 7th in St James Palace last time but excuses for that, having had a throat infection; Didn’t get the best of runs at all in the race, having been carried out wide and he was beaten less than 5 lengths in the end; Proved his class when beating Goldikova and Paco Boy in stylsih fashion last time and can confirm himself best miler in Europe.

Poet’s Voice: Showed plenty of potential for all that he was very keen in the early part of last season (Broke out of stalls and managed to lose the Acomb Stakes by pulling to hard); Showed what he could do when beating Viscount Nelson in Champagne Stakes only to then run below his best when fourth in Middle Park; Finally back to form when wining Celebration Mile easily, and while he had little to beat he did it well and cannot be discarded.


Red Jazz: Made all in Free Handicap at Newmarket in April and has come a long way since then, bettering that effort every time in defeat; Unlucky to be caught on all six occasions sine but onyl runs rleative to form of race and 7f is defintely his trip, so tough task on plate.

VERDICT: Back over his preferred trip, expect a bold defence of his crown from Rip Van Winkle, but he'll have a tough nut to crack in the shape of MAKFI, who proved himself a top-class miler at Deauville and will be suited by cut. Poet's Voice deserves a good mention.