The Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes kicks off the highly-anticipated Royal Ascot meeting, as Lockinge Stakes winner Notable Speech tops the market.
The son of Dubawi is 0-2 at the meeting, including finishing fourth to Docklands in this contest last season. However, he was electric in the Lockinge and Charlie Appleby believes he is in better shape this season.
Appleby told the Godolphin, via Racing TV: “Notable Speech is in great order. He went into the Lockinge on the back of a frustrating run in America. So there hasn’t been a massive amount of improvement since Newbury. But he is as good as he has ever been.
“People have a question mark against him at Ascot, which in some respects is fair because he is 0-2 there. But I think on both occasions we did not have the rub of the green you need at this level. It looks as though conditions will be in his favour. If he can put the Ascot hoodoo behind him, he should take all the beating.”
William Buick retains the partnership, favouring him over Opera Ballo who has the services of Billy Loughnane. On his chances, Appleby said: “The straight mile will be more of a challenge for Opera Ballo compared to Sandown and Meydan. Although he has done very well mentally and physically since his last start.
“He was very impressive when making the running at Sandown. It will be up to Billy on the day to see what sort of horse he has underneath him. But hopefully he can take a lead this time.”
Docklands out to defy history while More Thunder seeks to reverse Notable Speech form
The last repeat winner of the Queen Anne was Dean Swift in 1907, and Docklands has a stiff task in this classier event. Harry Eustace said: “We are all very happy with him and looking forward to seeing where he fits in in what is probably a stronger renewal than last year. It’s been very positive since his last run in Hong Kong and we are drawn well in the middle.”
Notable Speech was second to Notable Speech on reappearance, and owners representative Philip Robinson said: “We’re very happy going over a mile. If you look at the last run in the Lockinge he was finishing very strongly. It is a stiffer track so it should be perfect for him.”