Queen Anne Stakes Field Likely to Live Up to Hype

Selling a group 1 as competitive can be a cop-out, a subtle way of implying the race lacks its usual quality. That billing contradicts the top-tier field assembled for this open, yet red-hot Queen Anne Stakes (G1) and the stage is set for Royal Ascot to explode into life. In the past seven runnings of the Queen Anne, six horses produced a Racing Post Rating of 121 or higher. Five of these have already reached an RPR of at least 122. Four of those five, excluding international candidate Carl Spackler (IRE), clashed in the Lockinge Stakes (G1) last month. As such, that contest must be the bedrock of any pre-race analysis. The good news for those wishing to oppose Lockinge winner Lead Artist (GB) with Dancing Gemini (IRE), Rosallion (IRE), or Notable Speech (GB), second, third and fourth at Newbury, is the history of form from last month's race flipping on its head at Ascot. Only six of the 25 Lockinge winners who attempted the follow-up won for a £1 level-stakes loss of £11.47, with the seconds faring slightly better (-£4.03, 5-22). Lockinge thirds were worse still (0-20), but the overwhelming value has been with those who were fourth at Newbury. They are 4-11 for a significant level-stakes profit of +£29.80, a positive omen for Notable Speech admirers. The fascination of this Queen Anne is illustrated by the ease with which a reasonable argument can be made for each of the Newbury four. Lead Artist may have enjoyed the run of the race, but he rallied once headed and should be suited by a stiffer mile. Dancing Gemini may have hit the front too soon after being drawn on the wing, and his progress is yet to stall. Rosallion, so brilliant in the St James's Palace (G1) last season, was returning from almost a year off, while last year's Two Thousand Guineas (G1) winner Notable Speech was likely to be undercooked first time out. Over-concentration on the Lockinge could be risky, however. Sardinian Warrior (IRE) would have deserved more than a passing mention after his gutsy defeat of Ascot specialist Docklands in the Paradise Stakes, but he was declared a non-runner on Monday. Then we have Lake Forest (GB), the highest-earning runner in the field. He may be sired by Norfolk Stakes (G1) winner No Nay Never, but there are several middle-distance performers on his page and this new distance could be the ticket to unlocking further improvement. Form lines from overseas are often overlooked, but that could be a dangerous path to take in the case of Lake Forest's 2024 Golden Eagle victory at Rosehill in Australia. Runner-up on that occasion was Saturday's Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes favorite Lazzat, whom Lake Forest saw off when producing the kind of power-packed burst from off the pace that is synonymous with group 1 success on the straight track at Ascot. Lake Forest's Longchamp prep last month was also better than it appeared and, despite having a peak RPR of only 119, he may be the cat to throw among the Lockinge pigeons for a must-watch Queen Anne.