The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is one of two ‘Win and You’re In’ races at Ascot on Saturday, offering a fees-paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland on November 5
Britain’s most prestigious mile race, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, is one of four G1 events at Ascot on Saturday as the historic venue hosts the annual Qipco British Champions Day meeting.
Alongside the Champion Stakes – scene of the unbeaten Baaeed’s final bow – the £1.15m event over Ascot’s straight mile is one of two ‘Win and You’re In’ races on the card as the annual Breeders’ Cup Challenge reaches its conclusion.
Named in honour of the late monarch, the QEII boasts a highly impressive roll of honour including both Frankel (2011) and Baaeed (2021) since QIPCO British Champions Day was created 11 years ago.
Last year’s Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Modern Games, who has the BC Mile as his primary target, is among the nine intended runners, but trainer Charlie Appleby has warned he will be scratched if the going is too soft.
His absence would certainly take something away from the race as the son oif Dubawi has had another excellent season, landing Classic success in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) before finishing second to Baaeed in the Sussex Stakes. More recently he enjoyed a third G1 success with a comfortable victory in the Woodbine Mile in Canada.
John Gosden, who won this with Persuasive (2017) and Roaring Lion (2018), is now training in partnership with his son Thady. In a race lacking strength in depth, they field hot favourite Inspiral, head and shoulders above her two-year-old filly contemporaries in 2021, since when she has added two further G1 wins, including victory over male counterparts at Deauville.
French challenger The Revenant is a QEII regular, winning in 2020, while progressive four-year-old colt Jadoomi was supplemented earlier this week for £70.000.
Key contenders
Inspiral (John & Thady Gosden/Frankie Dettori) – last year’s champion 2yo filly did not come to hand in time for 1000 Guineas; however, impressed in G1 Coronation Stakes on belated return at Royal Ascot and put behind her a surprise defeat at Newmarket (race probably came too soon) with another G1 success against colts in Prix Jacques Le Marois.
Modern Games (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) – scored at Breeders’ Cup last year at Del Mar and has return to Keeneland for BC Mile as main target (clear favourite with UK bookmakers in ante-post lists); has added French Classic success and Woodbine Mile to his CV as 3yo, really impressive last time in Canada; major contender here providing ground isn’t too soft but likely absentee if it rains.
The Revenant (Francis Graffard/Ryan Moore) – French veteran making his fourth successive appearance in this race, having finished second (2019), first (2020) and fourth (2021); excellent second in his usual prep race at Longchamp on Arc weekend; every drop of rain is a plus.
Jadoomi (Simon & Ed Crisford/James Doyle) – prominent racer who is unbeaten in three starts this year, including G2s at Goodwood and Leopardstown (won going away by four lengths); supplementy entry worth his place in potentially non-vintage renewal.
Shall we talk about it?
Charlie Appleby, trainer of Modern Games: “Modern Games has been declared and we are on weather watch. If the going description was soft then he would be unlikely to run, but the decision will be made potentially on the day.”
Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Inspiral: “She is in good form, having had a nice freshen up since France. She seems to be well in herself. Obviously you have a former winner there in The Revenant and Modern Games is a Classic winner, so it is going to be a tough field.”
Francis Graffard, trainer of The Revenant: “He’s in top form still and has come out of the Longchamp race very well. He seems to be as enthusiastic as ever and he has always run well on Champions Day. The softer the better for him.”
William Knight, trainer of Checkandchallenge: “What will really suit him is the track. I think the flat, stiff mile will be right up his street. The Revenant, who finished in front of us in the Wildenstein, likes soft ground and Inspiral has the best form going into the race. It’s a great opportunity for us to have a live candidate in a Group 1 race.”
Simon Crisford, joint-trainer of Jadoomi: “Jadoomi is in great form. He won very well in Ireland and the ground should be perfect for him. Sheikh Ahmed was very keen for him to take his chance.”
Graham Dench’s verdict
While Modern Games would have had every chance on faster ground, his participation is not guaranteed. On the other hand, softish conditions should not be a concern for INSPIRAL, who has also won three times at G1 level and was especially impressive at Royal Ascot (on the round course). The Revenant retains his enthusiasm remarkably well and always needs respecting when the mud is flying; Jadoomi is progressive but needs another step forward.
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