Keith Melrose fancies a veteran miler to reign in the Queen Anne Stakes

Mustashry
1.50 Ascot
Buy at 7 on the index

The belt is essentially vacant in the search for Europe's best older miler. Circus Maximus, new to the division on his first start at four, is out to fill it and comes with a couple of Group 1s to his name already.

It is telling that the next four on the index are all four-year-olds, too. But all need to find a bit of improvement and they cannot all be that good. On the spreads, it is safer to take a reliable sort from the older orders and none make so strong a case as Mustashry in that regard.

He went off joint second-favourite for this race last year after winning the Lockinge decisively. He had a rough time of it and finished seventh, then did not stay in the Eclipse. On his final start, he gave 5lb to a Group 2 field in the Challenge Stakes and won.

He is seven now, but lightly raced and more consistent than last year's record implies on bare form. He evidently can go well fresh, too, having won the Challenge after three months off. Consider also that the early-season Group 1 mile races would always have been his likely main aim for the season.

Even if one or two of the four-year-olds establish themselves as division leaders, Mustashry should be able to get close enough to reward his buyers.

1.15 Ascot

Sporting (50-30-20-10): 14-17 Daarik, 10-13 Kaeso, 8-11 Mutamaasik, 6-8 Motakhayyel, 4-6 Cliffs Of Capri, Keyser Soze, 3-5 First Contact, Blown By Wind, Flaming Spear, Glen Shiel, Greenside, Lethal Lunch, Documenting, Jacks Point, Firmament, Ebury, 2-4 Shelir, Hey Jonesy, 1-3 Gifted Master, Straight Right, War Glory, 0.5-2 Alexander James, Silent Attack, Habub.

1.50 Ascot

Sporting (50-25-10): 23-26 Circus Maximus, 19-22 Terebellum, 10-13 Fox Chairman, 7-9 Mohaather, 6-8 Duke Of Hazzard, 5-7 Mustashry, Skardu, 4-6 Roseman, 3-5 Billesdon Brook, 2-4 Bless Him, Plumatic, 1-3 Marie's Diamond, Turjomaan, 0.5-2 Accidental Agent, Escobar.

2.25 Ascot

Sporting (50-25-10): 24-27 Frankly Darling, 12-15 Trefoil, 10-13 Passion, 9-12 Miss Yoda, 8-11 Ennistymon, 3-5 Hold Fast, West End Girl, 1-3 Anastarsia, Bharani Star, Golden Lips, 0.5-2 So I Told You.

3.00 Ascot

Sporting (50-25-10): 33-36 Mogul, 16-19 Mohican Heights, 14-17 Arthur's Kingdom, 8-11 Papa Power, 5-7 Pyledriver, 2-4 Sound Of Cannons.

3.35 Ascot

Sporting (50-25-10): 33-36 Battaash, 13-16 Glass Slippers, 8-11 Liberty Beach, 6-8 Equilateral, 2-4 Tis Marvellous, Well Done Fox, Kurious, Shades Of Blue, 1-3 Hit The Bid, Rocket Action, Sergei Prokofiev.

4.10 Ascot

Sporting (50-25-10): 15-18 Jubiloso, Nazeef, 10-13 Lavender's Blue, 9-12 Miss O Connor, Queen Power, 8-11 Wasmya, 5-7 Magic Lily, 1-3 Invitational, 0.5-2 Agincourt, Posted, 0.1-1 Iconic Choice.

4.40 Ascot

Sporting (50-30-20-10): 17-20 Verdana Blue, 8-11 Moon King, Land Of Oz, 7-9 Summer Moon, Diocletian, 6-8 Dubawi Fifty, 5-7 Mancini, Blue Laureate, Coeur De Lion, Pianissimo, 4-6 Smart Champion, San Benedeto, 3-5 Quloob, 2-4 Fair Mountain, Charlie D, 1-3 Yaa Salaam, Rochester House, Ashutor, 0.5-2 Carntop, Cliffs of Dooneen.

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