QEII Stakes 2013

3.30 Ascot

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By Qipco) (British Champions Mile) (Group 1) (Str) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £601,126

Advice: 1 pt win (9/2 general), 3 pts place Maxios (9/10 Bet Victor)

Burwaaz: Pacemaker.

Caspar Netscher: Has been very conisitent since infertility at stud and retains most, if not all, of his ability, based upon his 7f runner up spot at Goodwood and second to Top Notch Tonto in Listed event; Ground not a worry but fail to see him making mark at Group 1 level.

Gordon Lord Bryon: Fine year of improvement last season ending with Foret win and since fourth in Golden Jubilee, third in Maurice De Gheest, and deeply impressive winner of Sprint Cup since; Just no match for the turn of foot that Moonlight Cloud had in the Foret latest; Stamina the worry for him but ground in favour and form amongst the best.

Gregorian: Third in the Queen Anne over this C&D and taken Group wins at Epsom and Newbury but still hampered by racing freely, as when disappointing favourite for Longchamp Group 2 latest, and needs far more here.

Maxios: Has been living upto his long held promise this season, landing two Group 1’s, a Group 1, and coming a close second in one other; Only disappointing here in the Prince of Wales’s but theory that ground a touch quick for him here supported by emphatic success in the Prix Moulin, where he received a very smart ride while others were caught sleeping to say least but did destroy his field (inc Olympic Glory) by 5 lengths with ease and now has his same ground, a likely strong pace, and no reason why he can’t use that to advantage again today; Will go close.

Soft Falling Rain: Crack South African charge who impressed many with attitude when going unbeaten in UAE, especially when clawing back large deficit to land UAE Mile; UK debut was promising when second over 7f at Newbury but looked as if he was enjoying the faster ground when landing career best at Newmarket latest and not sure he wants this ground; Should be remembered that he’s untested on this surface but that a big unkown and significantly upped in grade.

Dawn Approach: Champion 2yo when 6-6 and continued in same vein at 3, a wide margin winner of the Guineas before bouncing back from unsuccessful Derby attempt to land nail-biting St James’s space win over on the round course; Second that day (Toronado) gained revenge on him before he was found to be a sick horse when eighth in elite Jaques Le Marois (had been on the go all season); In theory we should see better from him here and will take beating if back at best; Ground a worry.

Elusive Kate: Top class mare who was third in this last season but tends to come up short against top males as that showed (also seventh in Marois) and below best when only fourth in Sun Chariot; Will do well to get as involved as she was last year.

Kingsbarns: Had world at his feet as convincing Racing Post Trophy win (form of which has since make that win all the more promising) but never been quite sound this season and return in Irish Champion a total anti climax when he lost his action; Not sure we’ll see best of him until next season.

Letitr Mor: Very useful pacemaker (can win at group level) for Dawn Approach.

Olympic Glory: One of the best juveniles around (only defeat to Dawn Approach) last year and while he’s not been as successful in winning terms, would have won Marois with just one more stride; Trashed by Maxios last time but impossible to suggest that he was given best chance there and can be on premises today for all there’s now that question mark against him.

Top Notch Tonto: Flourishing at end of 3yo season, having started in handicaps before convincing surprise win in Haydock Group 3 and then Redcar listed win; With many set to potentially struggle over the ground, has come through as outsider but looks to have too much to find here.

VERDICT: Ground this testing is going to ask serious questions of Dawn Approach, a ferociously tough nut to crack at his best and worthy favourite, and it remains to be seen if he’s at his best after a long hard season and then absence until today. Soft Falling Rain has been earmarked for this for a long time and is worthy of respect, but the ground is another source of concern for him as well and MAXIOS, who trashed Olympic Glory at Longchamp, may profit. Twice a Group 1 winner on soft ground this season, the cards look to have fallen in his favour once again and he should take the beating. Gordon Lord Bryon has some of the best form but stamina is a worry.