2.30 Ascot
Queen Anne Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Str)
(Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £198,485
Advice: 11 pts win Animal Kingdom (evs general), 1 pt
each/way Elusive Kate (7/1 Bet365)
Aljamaaheer: Built on promising, albeit slightly
disappointing return when beaten a head in listed company, when third in
Lockinge Stakes (well ahead of Declaration of War, behind Soverign Debt) latest
(keen most of the way despite good pace) and made solid headway; realistic
place claims at big price and worth consideration. 
Animal Kingdom: 2011 Derby winner who has gone onto good
things since despite serious problems; Underlined himself as one of the world’s
best horses with thoroughly dominant Dubai World Cup win (10f, synthetic
surface) after improving greatly for return in Dirt Grade 1, but goes on any
surface has his tremendous Breeders’ Cup Mile effort showed, flying late after
troubled passage for second to Wise Dan after just one run that year; That took
his record to 0-2 over a mile but fail to see how this trip bothers him and
stays further, so stamina will be no trouble or the stiff course, and been
stationed here for good while so fitness/stamina hopefully assured; The one to
beat in no uncertain terms assuming ground stays good. 
Chil The Kite: Steadily improving over past two seasons,
winning listed event in France last year, and progression continued with third
in bet365 Mile and then fourth in Lockinge; Place a possibility once again. 
Declaration Of War: Rich promise before move to Ballydoyle
in France, and shown no end of promise in three wins since stable debut fourth
in Curragh Group 3, winning twice at 10f in good style; Reappearance win (1m,
second win on ground worse than good); Sent off a hot favourite for the
Lockinge after sustained gamble but could never get going and beaten 11 &
1/2 lengths in fifth, behind Soverign Debt, Aljamaaheer and Chil The Kite; Looks
vulnerable again.
Gabiral: Looked as good as he’s ever been when landing listed
event on return but looked awkward both starts since; Might not have lasted 10
furlongs at Chester or enjoyed Epsom but on both starts, didn’t look good
enough to trouble Group 1 horses on either occasion and readily passed over. 
Gregorian: Mixed between top level and conditions events
since his staying on fifth in French guineas, although he was close third here
in St James’s Palace and in second in Prix Jean Prat last year; Did the job
well when winning Group 3 at Epsom lately and of potential interest here given
how well he’s performed at Group 1 level, but others make more appeal. 
Libranno: Benefit of a superb Fallon ride when taking the
Park Stakes but since been exposed as needing 7 furlongs and also below Group 1
class based on fourth in Bet365 mile behind Trumpet Major on seasonal
reappearance. 
Moinesur Chevalier: One time crack sprinter who’s lost that
form and is outclassed. 
Penitent: Capable of running upto high form and numerous Group
1 placed efforts; Best of the rest behind Gregorian when giving 5lbs to that
one at Epsom latest, but then well beaten in the Lockinge latest and others preferred.
Soverign Debt: Rapidly progressive last year (got blocked on several
occasions in last yea’s Jersey) and found his level at Group 3’s, although ran
above himself (possibly aided by fast pace) when second in Lockinge Stakes 
Trade Storm: Showed super turn of foot to land handicap in
Dubai off 104 and Zabeel Mile before fourth in the Dubai Duty Free, coming late
although birds had flown upfront; Similar performance today would put him there
or thereabouts and can’t be underestimated. 
Trumpet Major: Successful 2 year old campaign and won couple
of Group 3’s last year, but stuffed at top level regularly and same story in
Lockinge after return Group 2 win and best to look elsewhere.
Elusive Kate: Fantastic consistency at the top table of
female milling last year, great comeback in Falmouth on heavy ground before
dictating terms from front to win Prix Rotschild; Faced top open company twice
last year and was third to Excelebration on both occasions in high quality
races, form as good as any bought here; Strong each/way chance.
VERDICT: Assuming that the ground stays decent, a truly
international Royal Meeting can get off to a truly international start with
Dubai World Cup winner ANIMAL KINGDOM, who looks a class ahead of these on his
best form, which many will count as his recent Dubai success, although his
Breeders’ Cup Mile second (coming after a troubled run and on just his second
start of an injury riddled year) also makes him the horse to beat. ELUSIVE
KATE, twice third to Excelebration in top straight mile contests last year, is
capable of being second best and merits each/way support especially with
current second favourite Declaration of War looking very vulnerable, opening up
the place market to his Lockinge superiors Chil the Kite, Aljamaaheer and
Sovereign Debt.
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