Hawk Wing heads 11 Queen Anne runners
Aidan O’Brien’s star is sure to go off a hot favourite for the £250,000 contest over the straight mile following his 11-length call over one of his Ascot rivals Where Or When in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month.
Godolphin will mount a strong challenge for the prize with recent Nottingham winner Dubai Destination, who defeated Rock Of Gibraltar as a two-year-old but had been plagued with leg trouble prior to his impressive comeback at Colwick Park, and Blatant in the line up.
Last year’s second Tillerman, a well-beaten sixth in the Lockinge, will bid to go one better under Richard Hughes this time.
There is an international flavour to the race with South African hopes Eventuail and Victory Moon set to go to post.
Michael Stoute, who won the race 12 months ago with No Excuse Needed, runs Right Approach.
Desert Deer, who was withdrawn at the start of the Lockinge, and Gateman represent trainer Mark Johnston with Gerard Butler’s Beauchamp Pilot completing the field.
Tomorrow’s other Group One contest, the St James’s Palace Stakes, has also attracted 11 runners headed by French 2000 Guineas winner Clodovil.
Irish 2000 Guineas second France, Hold That Tiger and Statue Of Liberty, who has not been seen in public since winning last season’s Coventry Stakes at the Royal meeting, represent O’Brien in the £250,000 contest, which is run round the Old Mile.
Indian Haven, France’s conqueror at the Curragh will bid to give Newmarket trainer Paul D’Arcy his second success at the highest level while Stoute relies on the Aga Khan’s improving colt Kalaman.
German raider Martillo was supplemented at a cost to connections of £20,000 and will be ridden by regular jockey William Mongil.
Zafeen, Tout Seul, Monsieur Bond and Hurricane Alan, second, fourth, sixth and seventh respectively behind Refuse To Bend in a rough renewal of the Sagitta 2000 Guineas renew rivalry in the St James’s Pala ce.
Monsieur Bond, who endured a rough passage at Newmarket, was also engaged in the Jersey Stakes on Wednesday but connections have opted for the tomorrow’s Group One contest instead.
“It’s a tough race,” said Monsieur Bond’s trainer Bryan Smart.
“He’s in great form himself. He’s going there a very fresh horse and very well.
“Win lose or draw he’s good enough to be there.
“One thing about this horse is he’s tough, he’s as tough as teak and I’m very happy with him.
“He’s as good a horse as Sil Sila was if not better and she won a Group One so let’s see what happens.”
Conditions are likely to be fast for the start of the prestigious five-day meeting.
Clerk of the course Nick Cheyne said yesterday: “There is an outside chance of a thundery shower on Tuesday afternoon.
“At the moment I’m calling the straight course good to firm, round good to firm, good in places.
“We are watering today.”
