Queen Elizabeth II Stakes betting and odds

It’s QIPCO British Champions’ Day on Saturday at Ascot but many race-goers will refer to the meeting which features the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes as Frankel day, writes Mikey Mumford. And rightly so because Sir Henry Cecil’s unbeaten colt has won all of his eight races and looks a banker to end his 2011 campaign on another winning note in this mile event. He’s no working man’s price though at 1/3 across the board so it might be worth looking at the market without the impressive 2,000 Guineas winner. Marco Botti’s German 2,000 Guineas conqueror looks best of the rest after chasing home Frankel in the Greenham and the St.James’ Palace while Immortal Verse goes looking for a hat-trick.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes tips

Bullet Train Only had one run this campaign over 1m1f in which he was last of seven at Newmarket in April and was left in mid-division in several runs as three-year-old last year. Probably supplemented as a pacemaker for Frankel (should he need one) but makes very limited appeal in this Group 1 company.

Dick Turpin Ran a bit flat for his usually high standards in the Lockinge two lengths behind stablemate Canford Cliffs. But back to winning ways over course and distance last time when looking the likely winner from a long way out. Didn’t beat too much that day but travels well and each-way claims with Richard Hughes aboard.

Poet’s Voice Last year’s winner under Frankie Dettori hasn’t won since but this is normally his time of year and posted a decent effort over a mile at Newmarket latest. Struggled in the Celebration Mile despite being sent off paper favourite but should fare better here and likely to get his good to firm ground; one to follow Frankel home.

Side Glance Largely consistent performer who hasn’t been out of the top three in each of his last nine runs. He has been competing in slightly lesser Group 1 events and was third behind Dick Turpin here in his penultimate run. Obviously has work to do with that rival but is a previous course and distance winner and could get into the minor honours.

Dubawi Gold Nice winner of the Celebration Mile at Goodwood last time (Poet’s Voice finished last of seven) but was never able to challenge in the Hungerford behind eventual winner Excelebration. Will do well to alter that form against better rated rivals; best watched.

Excelebration German 2,000 Guineas winner scooped the Hungerford last time quite easily in the end but has twice been left trailing in behind Frankel. He got within one-and-a-half lengths of Khalid Abdullah’s colt in the St James’ Palace after Frankel looked to have been idling out in front but needs to raise the bar again; could be one for the forecast though.

Frankel Unbeaten colt who had his biggest scare to date in the St James’ Palace when all out and seemingly idling out in front two runs back. But he scored impressively in the Sussex Stakes, an easy five length winner over another top class rival in Canford Cliffs which showed he is better than ever and another faultless run should make him hard to oppose.

Immortal Verse Lightly raced filly who won on her only appearance on British soil over this course and distance in June when landing the Coronation Stakes. Beat a few useful types in that race, however this assignment represents another step up in class and might find it difficult up against the colts; should run her usual sound race nevertheless.

Only one likely winner in FRANKEL to put it bluntly as he is by far and away superior to the rivals he will face. However, the betting without the market leader is interesting and Excelebration who has run well in behind Sir Henry’s colt on a couple of occasions can follow him home. Last year’s winner Poet’s Voice comes good at this time of year and could sneak into that third spot. [Mikey Mumford]

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