Perfect match: Richard Birch on a Queen's Vase runner who is just the right type

Queen's Vase (Group 2) | 1m6f | 3yo | ITV/Sky

Some top-class stayers have won this race, with Le Moss (1978), Estimate (2012), Stradivarius (2017) and Kew Gardens (2018) the standouts. The last two were the first winners after the race was reduced in distance to 1m6f and upgraded to Group 2 status.

It usually goes to an unexposed, lightly raced three-year-old who finds significant improvement for the step up from middle distances.

Berkshire Rocco, who chased home impressive winner English King in the Listed Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield, looks a prime candidate this time. English King is currently 7-2 joint-favourite with Berkshire Rocco’s stablemate, Kameko, for the Investec Derby on July 4.

There were seven lengths back to the third, Summeronsevenhills, at Lingfield, and Berkshire Rocco looks all about stamina. Connections reportedly expect him to come on fitness-wise for that run, so he must have a live chance.

Berkshire Rocco (red) second to leading Investec Derby hopeful English King at LingfieldCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Aidan O’Brien has landed the Queen’s Vase six times and is two-handed with Santiago, the mount of Ryan Moore, and Nobel Prize, who will be partnered by Frankie Dettori.

Santiago makes the greater appeal. The son of Authorized was lightly raced at two, getting off the mark on his third and final start at Listowel in September.

That was over a mile, and there could be any amount of improvement in him for this huge step up in trip. Nobel Prize brings a similar profile into the Group 2, but his official rating of 88 is 6lb below that of his stablemate.

Plenty of people may be tempted to give Born With Pride the chance to atone for his hugely disappointing reappearance run behind Berlin Tango at Kempton.

The Born To Sea filly created an excellent impression when beating Peaceful by a neck on heavy ground on her debut last November.

Peaceful gave that form a mighty boost with her fluent success in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, but Born With Pride has questions to answer now.

Al Dabaran: winning his maiden under James Doyle at Newmarket last JuneCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

She was slow into her stride at Kempton and delivered a sluggish all-round performance. Perhaps it was just a blip? If that was the case it would be no surprise to see Born With Pride bounce back over this greater stamina test.

Godolphin’s Al Dabaran also merits a mention. He very much looked a stayer when rallying gamely to finish second to Hopeful in a 1m1f Chantilly Group 3 last September on soft ground.

In terms of official ratings he is top-rated by 3lb in this field on 107, with Berkshire Rocco second-best on 104.

Richard Birch

St Leger clues could be on display

The 2020 St Leger winner could be on show, with the staying prize producing three winners of the Doncaster Classic since 2013 in the shape of Leading Light, Harbour Law and Kew Gardens.

Two of the recent Town Moor heroes were trained by Aidan O'Brien, who is certainly the main to follow when it comes to the Berkshire contest first run 182 years ago.

As well as his six winners in the race since 2007, he's had four seconds. This year he launches a two-pronged attack.

Santiago: winner of a Listowel maiden last SeptemberCredit: Patrick McCann

Asked whether his runners are potential St Leger types, O'Brien said: "That's what we think they are, they're two staying horses. We think both will be okay at the trip."

He added: "Santiago has form on softish ground and Nobel Prize is a grand horse who we're not sure about on the ground. His brother Highland Reel loved nice, fast ground so we'll see how it goes."

What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Al Dabaran
His preparation has gone well and we expect the step up to a mile and three-quarters is going to suit. We were contemplating putting headgear on him last year and he's wearing blinkers this time, which we hope will also see some improvement. This will be his first start of the year but he's fit and ready to go.

John Gosden, trainer of On Guard
He won a maiden over just short of a mile and half at Yarmouth the other day after which the jockey got off and said he needed further. He's not bred to stay this far or act on the the ground but his whole demeanour suggests he will.

William Haggas, trainer of Born With Pride
She’ll love the rain – it can’t be soft enough for her. I’m sure she’ll get the trip well.

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