17 have been entered for the Group 2 Queen’s Vase Stakes at Royal Ascot. The contest has often signalled a pointer toward the St Leger later in the season. Last year’s fifth, Scandinavia, followed up in the Doncaster Classic, beating the third, Rahiebb, into second.
The 2024 winner, Illinois, was just defied by his stablemate Jan Brueghel. Gregory failed to land a blow in 2023, but the 2022 winner, Eldar Eldarov, landing the Ascot/Doncaster double. Santiago was only beaten a length in his effort in 2021, following on from stablemate Kew Gardens who completed the double in 2018.
Charlie Appleby won the race with Kemari in 2021 and he’s entered two in the Godolphin blue. Sea The Stars colt Chasing Time got back to winning ways when beating stablemate Shahab Al Ali last time out. His more interesting contender is Del Maro, who brings some strong form to the table. He was a maiden as a two year old, but bumped into some smart types including Derby runner up Maltese Cross. He was a winner on debut this season, and returned from a below par effort to finish runner up in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes.
Five entered from Ballydoyle
Aidan O’Brien has entered five in the race that he’s won four times in the last ten years. Notably, he has entered Causeway, who is unbeaten in his last four starts. The Wootton Bassett Colt emulated stablemate Paddington in winning the Madrid Handicap before the Listed Henry Longfellow Stakes. He isn’t necessarily bred for the trip, but from the family of Magical and Rhododendron, he still could be anything.
A surprise Coolmore entrant is Italy, who has disappointed since his debut win at Leopardstown. He was a beaten favourite in the Superlative Stakes, before second again to Gewan in the Acomb Stakes. He was no match for Zavateri and Gstaad at the Curragh, before again disappointing in the Dewhurst.
However, he did catch the eye staying on well in the Ballysax behind the Derby winner Christmas Day, and there is stamina on the dam-side.
Andrew Balding won the race with Dashing Willoughby in 2019 and had the second with Saint George in 2023. He’s entered the Chester Maiden winner Galiyan. Galiyan beat Joulany into second there, who previously bumped into Derby second Maltese Cross.
The Gosden’s have entered two in Guildmaster and Point Of Law. The yard has won this twice in the last ten year, including with Stradivarius. Guildmaster was disappointing in the Dante, whereas Point Of Law comes here on the back of a strong performance at Newbury.