The 16-strong line-up still in contention for the Queen Anne Stakes, the opening race and Group 1 of Royal Ascot next week, are headed by superstar mare Inspiral. The John and Thady Gosden stalwart is a six-time Group 1 winner, including the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot 2022, while she was a neck runner-up to surprise winner Triple Time in this race 12 months ago.
She is available at a best price of 3/1 to go one better this time around, though could be challenged for favouritism by both Charyn and Facteur Cheval. The former has improved substantially this season, claiming successes in the Doncaster Mile and Sandown Mile at Listed and Group 2 level before chasing home outsider Audience in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
Those tables could be turned, with the grey at 9/2 and Audience 11/1, but the French raider Facteur Cheval stepped forward to win the Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan, showing his aptitude for all types of ground which could give him an edge over compatriot Big Rock, who beat him and the field so impressively in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day last season on soft ground. The pair are 5/1 and 8/1 respectively.
The French challenge is extended by Dolyali for Francis-Henri Graffard. He sits at 20/1 alongside former German 2,000 Guineas winner Maljoom, and Harry Eustace’s Docklands, who won the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last season.
Queen Anne Stakes Odds
| Horse | Trainer | Best Odds |
| Inspiral | John & Thady Gosden | 3/1 |
| Charyn | Roger Varian | 4/1 |
| Facteur Cheval | Jerome Reynier | 5/1 |
| Big Rock | Maurizio Guarnieri | 8/1 |
| Audience | John & Thady Gosden | 10/1 |
| Docklands | Harry Eustace | 20/1 |
| Dolayli | Francis-Henri Graffard | 20/1 |
| Maljoom | William Haggas | 20/1 |
| BAR 25/1 |
Queen Anne Stakes Runners 2024: Inspiral Out as 14 Declared for Royal Ascot Opener
Last year’s winner Inspiral was not among 14 horses declared for the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes, which is the curtain-raiser to Royal Ascot 2024 on Tuesday 18th June. We take a look at the runners for the one-mile showpiece that is one of the feature races of the flat racing extravaganza at the Berkshire…
Mon 17 Jun 2024