Big guns stand ground for Ascot showpiece

Rip Van Winkle and Delegator feature among a fascinating field of 11 for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Aidan O’Brien’s Galileo colt finally lived up to the hype when running out a brilliant winner of the Sussex Stakes, and is one of five contenders for Ballydoyle along with Mastercraftsman, Poet, Windsor Palace and Set Sail.

Delegator, meanwhile, recorded a deserved success on his debut for Godolphin when showing a blistering turn of foot in the Celebration Mile.

Prix du Moulin hero Aqlaam looks set to take his chance for William Haggas and Hamdan Al Maktoum, while the leading owner has also left in 1000 Guineas heroine Ghanaati.

John Gosden is responsible for Virtual, while the Khalid Abdullah-owned pair Famous Name and Zacinto complete the possibles.