Jockey - Oisin Murphy
Trainer - John Gosden
Group 1 Wins: 3
Roaring Lion – one of the star 3yo’s of the season headlines the betting for the QEII, yet his place has not been 100% confirmed by trainer John Gosden. The iconic grey still holds an entry in the Champion Stakes, however Gosden is already represented with the EVS favourite Cracksman. Roaring Lion is expected to drop in trip and line up here, and should take all the beating.
Jockey - Olivier Peslier
Trainer - C Laffon-Parias
Group 1 Wins: 2
The best of the French arrives in the shape of Recoletos, who finished fourth behind Cracksman in last year’s Champion Stakes. This year, a drop to a mile has brought him back to his best, with 2 Group 1 wins to his name including winning by a head in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. The French have a great record here in recent years and should go close.
Jockey - Jamie Spencer
Trainer - David O'Meara
Group 1 Wins: 0
This classy grey has had a season to remember, having only finished once out the placings in his seven races in 2018. He won here last season in the Balmoral Handicap, beating the likes of Gm Hopkins and Accidental Agent – who bolted up in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot in the summer. A C&D winner, he will be suited by the softer conditions.
Jockey - TBC
Trainer - William Haggas
Group 1 Wins: 0
The William Haggas-trained Addeybb has not been seen since disappointing in the Lockinge earlier in the season, but prior to that, looked one of the horses to follow for the season. He won the Lincoln handicap with ease back in March, beating Lord Glitters by almost three lengths. Another to be suited by the soft conditions, he looked like a group horse when bolting up in the Bet365 Mile at Sandown in April. Hopefully, we see him back to his best.
Jockey - P J McDonald
Trainer - Karl Burke
Group 1 Wins: 5
Laurens – winner of five Group 1’s in her career, has been supplemented for the QEII by trainer Karl Burke. Despite unknowingly disappointing in the Yorkshire Oaks behind Sea of Class; which there is no disgrace in doing, she has won four of her six outings this calendar year. Flying the flag for the fillies.
Jockey - TBC
Trainer - Sir Michael Stoute
Group 1 Wins: 0
Since disappointing in the Dewhurst this time, last year, Expert Eye really has turned the tables with some fine performances this season. The pick of his performances came in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot this year where he won readily, and has a good chance of further success here. However, others are preferred and have a bit more quality than this son of Acclamation.
Jockey - TBC
Trainer - Andrew Balding
Group 1 Wins: 0
Owned by the Leicester City owners – King Power, Beat The Bank won the Celebration Mile in the final strides at Goodwood in August. It was one of the rides of the season from Oisin Murphy, but unfortunately Murphy will be onboard Roaring Lion should he go to post. Again, others are preferred and has lots to find on his run from last season where he finished a distant tenth.
Jockey - TBC
Trainer - Aiden O'Brien
Group 1 Wins: 2
Aiden O’Brien sends Happily, who was sent off favourite for the 1000 Guineas back in May. She has not won this season, and O’Brien is lacking a stablestar in this division – since the news that Saxon Warrior had to be retired. Looked like a win wasn’t too far away when finished a neck second to the well-fancied Laurens in the Sun Chariot Stakes and could be in the frame.
Jockey - TBC
Trainer - David Simcock
Group 1 Wins: 1
Winner of the Sussex Stakes, Lightning Spear has had an improved season having not chased Ribchester’s tail down all year. Did beat a number of these at Glorious Goodwood, but rain is a big worry, and others can handle the conditions much better.
Jockey - Frankie Dettori
Trainer - John Gosden
Group 1 Wins: 1
Maintained his unbeaten record when winning the St James Palace here in the summer, but since then it has not been the same story. Underachieved in the Sussex Stakes, before not enjoying the step-up in trip in the Juddmonte in August against much better rivals.
Jockey - TBC
Trainer - Aiden O'Brien
Group 1 Wins: 0
Another promising 2yo whose season has collapsed; having said that he did run a career best in the Sprint Cup behind The Tin Man. Prefers running over 6, and being selected for a miler is a concern.
Jockey - TBC
Trainer - Marco Botti
Group 1 Wins: 0
Marco Botti saddles Aljazzi, who won the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot in the summer. Good fourth in the Prix Rothschild, but didn’t look herself behind Laurens in the Sun Chariot recently. Lots to find.
Jockey - TBC
Trainer - K J Condon
Group 1 Wins: 1
Was a surprise winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the end of May, beating three horses from Ballydoyle (inc. Gustav Klimt) but has ran poorly twice since. Others preferred.
Jockey - Gerald Mosse
Trainer - Ed Walker
Group 1 Wins: 1
An international campaign for Stormy Antarctic concludes here for trainer Ed Walker. Gerard Mosse - who is fine form, takes the ride on-board this six-time turf winner. Outsider.
Jockey - Andrea Atzeni
Trainer - Roger Varian
Group 1 Wins: 0
Roger Varian takes Zabeel Prince to the QEII off the back of a good second in the Shadwell Joel Stakes. Beaten by a classy rival in the shape of Mustashry, Varian can count on regular rider Andrea Atzeni to do the steering, who has 9 winners in the last two weeks.
