Royal Ascot - Queen Anne Stakes

Royal Ascot (Day 1, Race 1)

Queen Anne Stakes (British Champions´ Series) (Group 1) (Class 1) (4yo+)

Pick: Goldikova (win)

Canford Cliffs: Fulfilled early promise last season when confirming himself a top class miler with Group 1 hat – trick, the highlight a stunning success in the Sussex Stakes (kept under wraps for 4yo career after that) & made an excellent seasonal return when cosy winner of Lockinge Stakes; Bound to improve for that run and arguably one to beat here.

Cape Blanco: Thoroughly progressive last year, beating Workforce in Dante and then when second in King George, not to mention landing Irish Derby and Irish Champion Stakes (by 5l); Couldn’t handle soft ground in the Arc but that effort forgiven; creditable fourth in farcically slowly run Dubai World Cup but probably didn’t match that form when a well beaten fourth in the Prix Ganay latest; First three infront of him all class acts and form been boosted since but drop back to a mile posts even more questions.

Cityscape: Signed off last year with wins in Listed and Group 3 company, a nine length win in the Joel Stakes possibly exaggerated by soft ground; Bettered that form again when clear second to Dick Turpin in bet365 Mile (winner not reached that form since) and while still improving, this tougher still.

Ransom Note: Threatened to be a group performer with Brittainia handicap win last season, and showed merit of that when taking big York race over straight mile at Ebor meeting; Confirmed his arrival at pattern level with all the way in in Earl Of Sefton Stakes but last but one in D’Isphan and this flying too high.

Rio De La Plata: Looked like a potentially immense horse when landing National and Prix Jean Luc Stakes as a 2 year old, before injury curtailed plans; First successful season since when landing 4 out of his eight races last year, the highlight of which was an Italian Group 1 double after his Prix Du Moulin second; Cracking return when third giving away 7lbs in Diomed Stakes (not handle track) and shouldn’t be dismissed given yard’s record in this.

Flash Dance: Pacemaker for Goldikova, who was creditable fourth in Prix D’ishphan last time (career best); Shouldn’t be backed.

Goldikova: Had another record breaking season last year, stamping herself as best European mare of recent times with stunning wins D’Isphan, this race last year, Rothschild, Foret & a third Breeders Cup Mile; Made another classy reappearance when winning the D’Isphan for a second time last time and should improve for that, so likely to be near to peak for this.

VERDICT: A potentially epic match up between Canford Cliffs and GOLDIKOVA. The latter must overcome a number of off putting statistics but will improve for her seasonal debut & may have a tactical advantage of a head start over Canford Cliffs, given how the latter likes to race, which proved so crucial when she held off Paco Boy last year. Richard Hannon’s four time Group 1 winner will be wherever Goldikova finishes, while Cape Blanco might struggle down in trip .