Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Sponsored By QIPCO 2011

3.30 Ascot

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Sponsored By QIPCO (British Champions Mile) (Group 1)

Advice: 3 pts each/way Immortal Verse (7/1 Paddy Power)

Bullet Train: In as a pacemaker for Frankel. 

Dick Turpin: Revelation last year when running with credit in several classic and Group 1 races & back in style with easy win in Bet365 Mile at Sandown; Disappointing when well beaten in Lockinge and when last in Prix D’Isphan but back to best in Summer Mile at Ascot; While Italian Group 1 win was well deserved, question about how much his seventh place in Jaques Le Marois leaves him to do.

Poet’s Voice: Realised potential last season despite failing to settle in many races, only just edging out Rip Van Winkle in QE11; Didn’t settle, so didn’t stay in Champion Stakes; Showed ability till there when chasing home Wigmore Hall; Not been anywhere near as good since and might still be coming back to his best.

Side Glance: Progressive this year, slamming useful opponents in Listed race here before doubling up at Windsor; Summer Mile third and Fourth in Canadian Grade 1 both see him as well short of this class though.

Dubawi Gold: Had seemingly lost way when disappointing at Royal Ascot (too close to strong pace) and at Newbury (pushed out wide and ran too keen for his own good); Back to best when held up to take Celebration Mile at Goodwood but that a poor race; Fourth in Marois respectable but that leaves him well behind Excelebration.

Excelebration: Impressed as 2yo, coming clear of fair fields at Doncaster and Newmarket in good style; Even better as 3yo, pushing Frankel closest when second in Greenham and a wide winner of German 2,000 Guineas; Ran another big race when close to Frankel in St James’s Palace (well ahead of Dubawi Gold) and looked as if he was well upto taking a Group 1 when coming well clear in Hungerford, impression he confirmed when coming clear in Prix Moulin latest; Should go well.

Frankel: Champion 2yo, stamping his authority on quality fields at Doncaster and over C&D in Royal Lodge Stakes; Two main rivals didn’t show up but still cemented his claims as a Champion in Dewhurst Impressive despite pulling on seasonal debut in Greenham (Excelebration held) but produced one of most memorable classic performances in recent times when slaughtering his Guineas opponents, 15 lengths clear at half way and never in danger; Sent for home fully four furlongs out in St James’s Palace but tied up late on, meaning margin was unflattering, confirming his class when slamming Canford Cliffs and Rio De La Plata in the Sussex; Seemingly unbeatable.

Immortal Verse: Impressive winner of debut conditions race at Deauville and best of rest behind Helleborine in Prix D’Amule; Taken time to come to hand but impressive at best when winning Prix Sandringham with something to spare; Bettered that even in Coronation Stakes and Jaques Le Marois, coming out a convincing winner ahead of Goldikova and Saphresa; Not hard to see her sill improving and could be fly in the ointment.

VERDICT: Arguably the standout race on a high quality card. The magnificent Frankel will draw audiences form far and wide, and while he "shouldn’t" surrender his unbeaten record, Excelebration and especially IMMORTAL VERSE should make things difficult for him today. The latter rates a smashing each/way bet at 6/1 with 3 places available, which removes the need to oppose Marco Botti’s runner on the “betting without market”.