Darjina leads Ascot contenders

Darjina and Ramonti will face off again in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, with the latter’s trainer Saeed bin Suroor full of respect for his opponent.

The pair are part of a 10-strong field for Ascot’s Group One mile that does not, as expected, contain the Aidan O’Brien-trained George Washington.

However, O’Brien still has two other strong contenders in the shape of Excellent Art and Duke Of Marmalade.

Ramonti has already notched a victory at the track this season in the Queen Anne Stakes and followed up in the Sussex Stakes when just holding off Excellent Art.

But he suffered defeat last time when beaten two lengths by Darjina in the Prix du Moulin.