Mullins eyes double with Ascot Stakes scorer Thomas Hobson

Queen Alexandra Stakes | 2m5f143y, 4yo+ | ITV/RUK

Anybody planning on attempting an early exit to beat the traffic would be well advised to reconsider, given the two headline acts in the meeting's finale have fascinating yet wildly different profiles.

But for the expert attentions of Jim Bolger's vet in getting Harzand's troublesome foot in order at Epsom last June, US Army Ranger would be a Derby winner.

Yet life has not been straightforward for US Army Ranger in the intervening 12 and a half months and, having put in his best effort in some time over an extended 1m5f at Chester in May, Aidan O'Brien is now stepping him up in trip for the longest race on the British Flat calendar.

Thomas Hobson was ultra-impressive when sweeping past the entire field to land the Ascot Stakes here on Tuesday and now attempts to double up, this time with Martin Harley doing the steering.

Willie Mullins talked of Thomas Hobson as a potential Melbourne Cup horse earlier in the week, a label that already applies to Qewy, who finished fourth at Flemington last November before backing up with success in the Listed Sandown Cup 12 days later.

What they say

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Winning Story
Winning Story is a proper stayer and this trip should be fine for him. We'll see how he gets on but I've been happy with him at home.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Fun Mac and Vent De Force
Fun Mac is very well and this is his third time here. It looks the most competitive Queen Alexandra I've ever seen and he's carrying a penalty, which seems quite extraordinary. Vent De Force would need rain to run. It's dried out too much and he'd have to be considered a doubt without it.

Mark Johnston, trainer of Oriental Fox
He's won the race before and the conditions of the race and the track both suit. He's spot on, so we'll see how he gets on.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Qewy
He's fit, well and has no penalties for his wins in the Geelong Cup and Sandown Cup. I expect him to go well.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Thomas Hobson
He seems to have come out of Tuesday's win fine and we're hoping he can do what Simenon did for us five years ago by completing the Ascot Stakes-Queen Alexandra double. If they get some rain it would be a help.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Motherland
He's been in very good form since finishing third in the Saval Beg Stakes. This will be his first time tackling this trip, and while you never know until you try it, his form would suggest that he'll stay.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of US Army Ranger
We're trying something new with him by stepping him up in trip. He might even become a horse for the Cup races next year.