Paddington, the star of the Flat season, drops back to a mile to contest a red-hot renewal of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot this weekend.
Aidan O’Brien’s stable star scored at the top level in four successive races before a busy summer programme appeared to catch up when fading to third in the Juddmonte International over an extended 10 furlongs.
Nashwa will attempt to confirm that form after finishing a neck ahead at York, although Facteur Cheval and 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean have a fair bit to find with Paddington after comprehensive defeats in the Sussex Stakes and St James’s Palace Stakes respectively.
It is new threats that potentially pose the greatest danger to Paddington as high-class filly Tahiyra has won three Group 1s against her own sex in a row and fellow three-year-old colt Big Rock has hit the post in Group 1 company on his last three outings.
The heavy rain that has battered Britain in recent days could play to Angel Bleu‘s advantage as his career-best efforts have come when there’s been plenty of juice in the ground. Checkandchallenge, Epictetus, Hi Royal and Rogue Millennium complete the field for Saturday’s 15:05.
The latest Queen Elizabeth II Stakes odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes verdict
Timeform: NASHWA’s turn of foot proved to be a potent weapon dropped back to 1m when an impressive winner of the Falmouth at Newmarket and she has since run some huge races in defeat back up in trip, notably when finishing a neck in front of Paddington in the Juddmonte International. A stiff 1m is ideal for the Gosden filly and she looks the value call with leading 3-y-o Paddington likely to be a warm favourite once again. Classy 3-y-o filly Tahiyra is another big player.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 2023.
Angel Bleu
Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Hector Crouch Age: 4 Weight: 9st 6lbs Draw: 1
Dual Group 1 winner as a juvenile. First success since when edging ahead late on in 7f Haydock listed race in June and as good as ever when winning Celebration Mile at Goodwood 8 weeks ago. Plenty to find here but the more rain the better his chances.
***
Checkandchallenge
Trainer: William Knight Jockey: William Buick Age: 4 Weight: 9st 6lbs Draw: 11
Three-time winner (including a 1m Group 3) but is often highly tried and this will prove another step too far.
*
Facteur Cheval
Trainer: J. Reynier Jockey: Mickael Barzalona Age: 4 Weight: 9st 6lbs Draw: 8
Smart French gelding who’s acquitted himself well in defeat this season, placed in Group 1s last 3 starts. Conditions will suit but seems destined to find one or two too good at this level.
***
Big Rock
Trainer: Christopher Head Jockey: Aurelien Lemaitre Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 6
Smart French performer who completed 4-timer in Group 3 at Chantilly. Better form when runner-up in 3 Group 1s since, namely Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville and Prix du Moulin at Longchamp. Handles soft and likely to be in the mix again.
***
Chaldean
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Frankie Dettori Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 9
Frankel colt who progressed at a rate of knots last season, completing the 4-timer in Dewhurst at Newmarket. Resumed winning ways in 2000 Guineas at Newmarket but was quickly brushed aside by Paddington in St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot. Well held in Prix Jean Prat since. Off 104 days.
***
Epictetus
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Kieran Shoemark Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 4
Looked suited by the drop back to 1m when stylish winner of Group 3 at Glorious Goodwood (soft) but hasn’t kicked on since. Headgear back on. Firmly up against it.
**
Hi Royal
Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: James Doyle Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 2
Huge improvement when 1¾ lengths second of 14 to Chaldean in 2000 Guineas (125/1) at Newmarket (8f, heavy) but has gone backwards since. Easy to oppose.
*
Nashwa
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Hollie Doyle Age: 4 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 3
Excellent record in the top fillies/mares’ races, landing a third Group 1 in the Falmouth at Newmarket impressively. Excuses when going for a second Nassau next time before excellent placed efforts in Juddmonte (ahead of Paddington) at York and Irish Champion at Leopardstown. Big shout.
*****
Paddington
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 5
Superbly campaigned and has developed into one of the leading 3-y-os, landing his fourth successive Group 1 in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood (heavy). Lost little in defeat in Juddmonte International at York since and strong chance of resuming winning ways.
****
Rogue Millenium
Trainer: Tom Clover Jockey: Daniel Tudhope Age: 4 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 7
Back to winning ways in Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Posted a good 1¼ lengths second to Tahiyra in Matron Stakes at Leopardstown but disappointed in France either side of that. This looks too demanding.
**
Tahiyra
Trainer: D. K. Weld Jockey: C. D. Hayes Age: 3 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 10
Clear of the remainder when second in the 1000 Guineas on return, her only defeat, and kept on readily when landing the Irish equivalent at the Curragh. Added further Group 1s to her tally in Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and Matron at Leopardstown, so must be respected taking on the males.
****
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- British Champions Day: Your ultimate guide to Saturday’s Ascot meeting
- When is the 2000 Guineas 2024? Newmarket date, start time, runners and betting
- When is the 1000 Guineas 2024? Newmarket date, start time, runners and betting
The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
