It could be a day for favourite-backers at Ascot on Saturday as the flat racing season reaches its finale on British Champions Day with Inspiral the one to beat in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
The 3-year-old is 2.00 with Coral in an event that has favoured younger, highly-rated horses in previous years.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: October 13th, 12:00 P.M. (BST)
John & Thady Gosden’s big hope for the £655,709 first prize has only been beaten once in her seven-race career; in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket in July losing out to Prosperous Voyage. She bounced back at the first attempt, though, winning a Group 1 at Deauville two months ago.
Good to Soft going on Saturday, as it was at Deauville, could also work in Inspiral and regular jockey Frankie Dettori’s favour.
With the highest official rating in the race at 122, Modern Games is seen as Inspiral’s biggest challenger for the 1 mile contest; 5.00 with Coral.
William Buick’s mount, trained by Charlie Appleby, comes into this having won the Woodbine Mile Stakes less than a month ago.
His other four runs this season have all been Grade 1s too, but the Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Longchamp in May was his sole victory.
2020’s winner of the “QEII”, The Revenant, is attempting to become the first 7-year-old to win the race. An unenviable task, considering no 6-year-old has ever triumphed, either.
5.50 with Coral, Ryan Moore takes the ride on Francis-Henri Graffard’s entry for the first time. Since coming fourth behind Baaeed in 2021’s renewal, he has won twice at Saint-Cloud and been placed twice at Longchamp, including third in the Prix du Moulin.
Jadoomi is the last of the main challengers at 6.50, but with three straight victories has arguably the best form. Those wins, however, were two Group 2s – the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and the Solonaway Stakes at Leopardstown – and a listed race.
His only previous Group 1 entry was a third place in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud two years ago. James Doyle rides for the first time in a year.
Winner of two Group 3s this summer, Tempus and Hollie Doyle are seen as the best of the rest at 19.00. Roger Varian’s two entries, Bayside Boy and El Drama, both have patchy form which merits their 21.00 value. Jim Crowley rides 23.00 shot Checkandchallenge who is stepping up to Group 1 for the first time.
Raadobarg, at 51.00, makes up the nine-strong field.
