Circus Maximus heads four Royal Ascot winners in Queen Anne showdown

1.50 Royal Ascot
Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) | 1m | 4yo+ | ITV/SKY

Traditionally the first race of the meeting and the first Group 1 contest of the week, the Queen Anne Stakes has been shuffled back a place in the revised running order this year but as is often the case, has a wide open feel to it.

A host of familiar names face off in the straight-mile contest, including four previous Royal Ascot winners.

The only previous winner of the Queen Anne in attendance is Accidental Agent, who sprang a 33-1 surprise two years ago before blotting his copy book when refusing to start in the race last year.

This year he is a bigger price than when shocking in 2018 and he has not been in the winner's enclosure since.

Heading the market is last year's St James's Palace Stakes hero Circus Maximus, attempting to hand Aidan O'Brien his fourth win in the Queen Anne.

A 10-1 chance when pipping King Of Comedy in the St James's Palace, he added a second Group 1 triumph in the Prix du Moulin last season and was last seen in action running well to finish fourth in the Breeders' Cup Mile in November.

The remaining Royal Ascot winners are last year's Jersey victor Space Traveller and 2017 Britannia hero Bless Him, both of whom are unfancied in the market this time around, despite having already proved their liking to Ascot's straight course.

What they say

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Accidental Agent
I know he disgraced himself last year but since then he's been as good as gold and ran a couple of really good races in defeat. He's since been gelded and looks great. He's never been a hard horse in his box but being gelded has probably sweetened him up. I'd have loved to have got a run into him first but still think he'll run a big race again.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Circus Maximus
He's just ready to start back and this looks the right race for him. We've been very happy with how he did over the winter and he's continued that progress through the spring, so you'd have to be happy with where he is at the moment. We're looking forward to seeing how he gets on.

Oliver Cole, joint trainer of Duke Of Hazzard
He's strengthened up and should put up a good account. He had a problem with a seedy toe in the early part of last season but once we sorted that he really came to himself, winning his final three races. Potentially, he could still be unexposed and I think he's spot on at the moment.

David O'Meara, trainer of Escobar
There are two Escobars. There's the Escobar who takes a couple of runs every year to hit form and there's the Escobar who beat Lord North by two and a quarter lengths in the Balmoral. If that Escobar turns up he'd be good enough to run into a place in this year's Queen Anne.

Fox Chairman (right): connections believe he could be up to this level this seasonCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Alastair Donald, racing manager to King Power Racing, owners of Fox Chairman
We hope this year he's going to turn into a Group 1 horse. This may be a touch short for him but it's a stiff mile and I think he'll be finishing strong. He's an exciting horse for the year.

Marcus Tregoning, trainer of Mohaather
He's working well and I'm not too worried about the ground. He's been doing some good work on fast ground this year so, even if the thunderstorms don't come, he should still be fine. He had a stress fracture which required surgery after the Greenham last season but we've had a good run through the winter and I'm hoping for a huge run from him.

Francis Graffard, trainer of Plumatic
Plumatic really needed the race on his comeback and, to my eyes, he ran very well. He has definitely come on for that and, in terms of what I know of him, he is in top form physically and mentally. I think he'll enjoy the straight mile and, while it's a little bit of a gamble, I think if he runs up to his best he should be in there at the finish. He has worked better in a cross noseband and a tongue tie so I'm keeping them on.

Roger Varian, trainer of Roseman and Turjomaan
Roseman is a nice horse and showed his quality as a three-year-old. It was nice to see Century Dream win at Newbury on Saturday, which proves the form is probably worth something. I think it's a tough start but he's a smart horse and track and trip should be ideal. Turjomaan always promised the world. He's been very unfortunate with injuries but he's a very smart horse and he'll run a big race. He wouldn't want the rain to arrive, he'd prefer a sounder surface.

William Haggas, trainer of Skardu
He went off in the summer [last season] and wasn't as good at Goodwood [on his last start]. He had been very consistent and I think I've got him back to the horse he was in the spring. I'm not sure he's quite there yet but I've been very happy with the work he has done.

Billesdon Brook: former 1,000 Guineas winner ran well on her comeback recentlyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Richard Hannon, trainer of Billesdon Brook
She tends to come on for her first run so I was delighted with her second at Kempton, where she conceded 7lb to the winner. Hopefully there is some improvement to come and she will be suited by the fast pace of the race.

John Gosden, trainer of Terebellum
She won nicely on her return over a mile and a quarter at Newmarket ten days ago where she showed a lot of speed, so we thought this stiff mile would suit her. It's her first time against the boys which will be tough, but the Queen Anne is always a tough opener to five great days of racing.

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