The key questions as Pallasator bids to strike again in Queen Alexandra

5.35 Royal Ascot
Queen Alexandra Stakes | 2m5½f | 4yo+ | ITV/SSR

Can Ireland strike again?

Last year's winner Pallasator and favourite Max Dynamite comprise a strong Irish challenge in a stamina-sapping contest the raiders have dominated in recent years.

Irish-trained runners have landed four of the last seven renewals of the royal meeting finale and the talented-but-tricky Pallasator completed a one-two for Ireland last year when defeating Renneti by a length and a half.

The Gordon Elliott-trained ten-year-old was a well-beaten fifth in the Saval Beg at Leopardstown last month but an improved showing is expected in his bid for back-to-back victories.

Elliott said of Oisin Murphy's mount: "He won the race last year and worked very well last week going into this.

"It looks a very competitive race but I'd like to think he has a decent chance."

Willie Mullins bids for his third win in the 2m5½f race with the versatile Max Dynamite.

The former Melbourne Cup runner-up returns to action for this campaign and will be ridden by Ryan Moore.

Mullins said: "He hasn't run for a while but I'm very happy with the way he is working at home and the ratings suggest he has every chance."

Will Corelli stay the trip?

The progressive Corelli is unexposed compared to many of his rivals and John Gosden is hoping Plan B pays off with the George Strawbridge-owned four-year-old, who steps up in trip by more than a mile.

He finished a good second to Baghdad over 1m4f on his return at Newmarket last month but missed out on contesting the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap on Friday.

Gosden said: "We had hoped to run him in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap but he didn't get in and we are now having to run him over this extreme distance.

"I have no idea if he'll get the trip as we don't work them anywhere near that far."

Could the jumps trainers strike?

Grade 1-winning chaser Black Corton and Grade 2 hurdle scorer Younevercall make their Flat debuts and represent rare runners for jumps trainers Paul Nicholls and Kim Bailey at the royal meeting.

Black Corton is being aimed at the Galway Plate on July 31 and Nicholls felt this assignment was perfect timing with his main target in mind.

Black Corton: makes his Flat debut prior to a tilt at the Galway Plate next monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

Nicholls, whose daughter Megan takes the ride, said: "We're aiming him at the Galway Plate and with it being a month away it made sense to run him here rather than risk him going up in the handicap over jumps.

"He goes well at Ascot and I expect him to run a tidy race."

James Doyle partners Younevercall with Bailey looking forward to seeing how the eight-year-old fares.

Bailey said: "It's very exciting and this has been the plan since Sandown as there were not many hurdling options and he's suited by going right-handed. He's a very talented hurdler but it's impossible to weigh up how he'll run.

"He's never given me the impression he's a flying machine at home but it's two miles, five and a half furlongs. George Baker asked if James [Doyle] could ride him – I'd never heard of him before then!"

Nigel Twiston-Davies runs recent Goodwood winner Paddys Motorbike, the mount of Liam Keniry.

What they say

Seamus Durack, trainer of Cayirli
He's had a few issues and we've had a slightly rushed preparation but if he's on his A game he's a very decent horse and could have a fair chance. A bit of give in the ground suits him well and this race might be slightly weaker than the one in which he was second three years ago.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Cleonte
He should go well. He ran well in the Sagaro but then ran awfully in the Chester Cup when the ground was too soft for him. On his Sagaro run he would have a big shout.

Lucy Gardner, daughter of Sue Gardner, trainer of Couer Blimey
We were hoping to run him in the Ascot Stakes but he was balloted out. He's very well and won nicely at Newbury with the form being franked. This is a more competitive race off equal weights but he likes the track.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of Lucky Deal
The trip is no concern as he'll stay as far as you want. He'll improve for the extra half mile but we have a slight concern over the ground as he likes a sound surface. If it dries out he'd be our best chance of the day.

Spotlight verdict

This is not quite as competitive as usual and only four or five make strong appeal for win considerations. Smart jumpers Black Corton and Younevercall add interest and will be contenders if able to transfer their best form to this sphere at the first time of asking. That is asking quite a question of them, though, so preference is for Cleonte and Max Dynamite. The latter's best form from last year would make him hard to beat but he also ran plenty of indifferent races so the vote goes to Cleonte. The trip is likely to be fine and he has the form to go close, at the least, while a rare below-par run last time is easy to excuse. Lucky Deal is also worth a mention.

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