Queen Anne Preview: Europe's finest miler hard to oppose

Despite well-documented troubles in the Godolphin hierarchy and some dramatic jockey changes over the last couple of seasons, things on the track continue to go well for Sheikh Mohammed’s operation, and in the form of Ribchester they own the best miler in training in Europe on Timeform ratings.

Ribchester’s career has not necessarily been one with a long string of victories – he has only won four of his 11 starts – but more one of relentless progress. Barring a forgivable blip in the Dubai Turf on his reappearance this season where he didn’t last home over nine furlongs on rain-softened ground, Ribchester has improved with every single one of his starts since his reappearance as a three-year-old. His two wins last season came in the Jersey Stakes at this meeting and the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville last August and he reached a level in last month’s Lockinge which few horses do, running to a Timeform rating of above 130. His biggest challenge this season will probably come courtesy of dual Guineas winner Churchill – perhaps in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood – but until then Ribchester will be extremely hard to oppose amongst older horses.

It’s not surprising, then, that the horse currently 6 lb clear of the field on adjusted Timeform ratings is currently trading at odds no bigger than 10/11. Second on ratings to Ribchester is last year’s Celebration Mile winner Lightning Spear, who has nearly four lengths to find with the favourite on Lockinge form. Lightning Spear was not at his very best on soft ground at Newbury though, and it’d be no surprise to see him cut down the deficit a little more at a track he clearly acts well on (third in both this race last year and the Queen Elizabeth II Sakes), for all it is hard to make a case for him reversing the form with Ribchester.

Also with strong place claims from a ratings perspective is Mutakayyef, who was better than ever as a five-year-old last season, finishing third to Postponed in the International Stakes at York and winning the Group 2 Summer Mile Stakes here last July. He shaped as if he’d come on for his first outing of this season when fifth behind Vivlos in the Dubai Turf at Meydan last time in first-time cheekpieces, and is entitled to respect here.

Deauville and Dutch Uncle were both supplemented at the six-day stage. The latter is presumably on pacemaking duties for Lightning Spear, but Deauville will add some depth to the race. The winner of the Belmont Derby last season, Deauville has been running consistently well since, winning the Huxley Stakes at Chester in May before finishing third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last time. A strong traveller over a mile and a quarter, he should be effective back at a mile.

Multiple Grade 1 winner Miss Temple City also deserves a mention. She won three races at the top level in 2016 including the Maker's Mile Stakes at Keeneland, the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes on same course and the Matriarch Stakes at Del Mar. She also ran good fourth in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes over C&D, giving weight away all round, and would have place claims based on that.

Others further down the list in the ante-post market can be passed over with a fair amount of ease, including Dutch Connection who is possibly best at seven furlongs, and Cougar Mountain who has been unable to match the form of his third in this race in 2015 despite plenty of chances.

Overall, Ribchester looks a daunting favourite to take on, and Europe’s best miler can add a third Group 1 to his total in the opening race of Royal Ascot 2017.

Recommendation:

Back Ribchester to win the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot at 10/11

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