Can consistent Beat The Bank retain his Summer Mile crown?

4.00 Ascot
Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile Stakes (Group 2) | 1m | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Beat The Bank came agonisingly close to breaking through at the top level when beaten a neck in the Queen Anne Stakes last time and looks the one to beat as he goes for back-to-back wins in the Summer Mile.

While a 3lb penalty makes life tricky, Beat The Bank has an unblemished four-from-four record at Group 2 level and looks well placed once again.

"It will be a little bit tougher this year with a penalty but he seems in good form and he ran a really good race in the Queen Anne," said trainer Andrew Balding.

"I hope he can keep his great record at this level going but it's tougher giving 3lb away to a couple of good horses."

Can Zaaki maintain his unbeaten record in 2019?

A gelding operation through the winter looks to have benefited Zaaki this season and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained improver bids for a third straight win under Kerrin McEvoy.

After a Listed win at Ascot in May, Zaaki landed a Group 3 at Epsom last month and he competes at Group 2 level for the first time here.

"He's progressing well," said McEvoy, who will fly back to Australia on Saturday evening. "It looks a good race for him and you'd like to think Ascot will suit him.

"I rode him on Wednesday morning and he seems nice and bright and running to his peak for this."

Will Accidental Agent consent to race?

Accidental Agent is on a retrieval mission after failing to jump out of the stalls when bidding to retain his Queen Anne crown at Royal Ascot last time.

That misdemeanour remains a mystery to trainer Eve Johnson Houghton, who is hoping for smoother sailing as she charts a course to the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood at the end of the month.

"He seems absolutely fine," said the trainer. "We've jumped out of the stalls a few times since Ascot and he seems fine. We're going there quietly and to make sure he does what he's supposed to do!

"Hopefully it was a one-off last time and, if we want to run in the Sussex Stakes, he'll have to go around a bend and that shouldn't be a problem."

Can Matterhorn replicate his all-weather form?

Were this race run on the all-weather Matterhorn would more than likely be a fair bit shorter in the market.

A winning machine on an artificial surface, Matterhorn boasts seven wins from nine runs at Chelmsford, Southwell, Kempton and Lingfield.

Matterhorn: winning machine on the all-weather and just as good on turf according to Joe FanningCredit: Mark Cranham

His record on turf is less inspiring with one win from five starts, although there was plenty to like about his Listed win at Windsor last time.

"He's a versatile horse and just as good on the turf," said rider Joe Fanning. "He won well last time, the trip is fine and he should run well."

Suedois bidding to go two places better

As well as Accidental Agent and Dream Castle, Suedois is the other top-level winner in the field and the 2017 Shadwell Turf Mile victor is looking to go two better than when a close third to Beat The Bank in this race last year.

Trainer David O'Meara said: "He ran really well in this last year, he only got beaten a couple of heads by Beat The Bank and Lord Glitters. The mile round a bend seems to suit him quite well."

William Haggas landed back-to-back renewals of the Summer Mile with Mutakayyef in 2016 and 2017 and looks to Awesometank to provide him with a fourth win in the race since 2009.

"She's a bit to find on the book but has a good record going around bends so we're giving it a go," said Haggas.

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