Queen's Vase Guide 2021

Aiden O’Brien is a 7 time winner of the Queen’s Vase and heads the market with entrant Wordsworth who has progressed well in his opening 3 runs.

The son of Galileo was just beaten by Sir Lucan last time out in a listed race (13f), which looks like solid form, especially given most would argue Wordsworth should’ve won that race.

He will improve for the faster ground on offer here and stands as the leading contender on paper with Ryan Moore booked on board.

The infamous Stowell for John and Thady Gosden is well known as the reason behind a Rob Havlin ban earlier in the year, down as a non-trier before eye-catchingly flying home at Lingfield (12f) to miss out by a head behind a short priced Frankie Dettori favourite.

Unsurprisingly he won at a short price next time out when switched to turf and should progress once more here with Dettori employed on board.

The son of Zoffany is doubted however on breeding and on paper 1m 6f does look a bit of stretch, despite Stowell taking plenty early money in the market.

Mark Johnston is a 7 time winner of the Queen’s Vase and brings with him Dancing King who has improved vastly this season.

The son of Free Eagle has won on all 4 starts in handicaps this season with his run last time out being quoted as a particularly strong race in a class 2 (14f)

The Kingsley Park colt has all the makings of a future Leger winner thanks to his high durability we’ve become accustomed to seeing in Mark Johnston runners and despite the sharp rise in class he’s expected to give his running.

Jospeh O’Brien’s Irish raider, Ruling has progressed nicely across his opening 3 runs.

The son of Camelot took a step forward from 2 maiden efforts to place 3rd in a listed race last time out at Leopardstown (12f), held up behind the leaders to come off the pace and stay on strongly to the line.

The step up to 1m 6f looks sure to suit and despite still awaiting his first win, he looks a player with British champion jock Oisin Murphy taking the ride.

Charlie Appleby is yet to win the Queen’s Vase but may quietly fancy his chances with 400,000guineas Godolphin purchase, Kemari.

Kemari progressed from his debut runner up finish at Newmarket (10f) to score next time out at Yarmouth by an impressive 6 lengths (11.5f) in a maiden.

The Dubawi colt, is related to a St Leger winner and is expected to stay on over the 1m 6f distance.

Having said this, he’s untested in the bigger races and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be competitive due to the sharp rise in class.

Jessica Harrington crosses the Irish Sea sporting sole entrant Taipan to try her hand at Queen’s Vase glory.

The son of Frankel won well on debut over 8f upon heavy conditions at Naas before progressing to place 3rd next time out in a Group 3 when upped to 10f on his seasonal reappearance.

He’s finished a close up 5th and 4th in Group 3 races the last twice, both over 10f however now steps up to 14f which does pose some question marks over his ability to stay the distance.

Arturo Toscanini very much looks like a work in progress for A. P O’Brien and is well tipped as a future group horse for the champion trainer.

The son of Galileo was impressive on debut at Curragh and progressed last time out to finish an impressive runner up in a Group 3 race at the Irish venue upon soft to heavy conditions.

Having said this, the run sandwiched between his Curragh efforts was upon faster ground by which Arturo Toscanini finished last of 8.

It’s hard to look past that run given this years Queen Vase will be run on good to firm, thereby making him difficult to back, despite his big potential in the game.

Aiden O’Brien’s third entrant, Kyprios was very good on the numbers on good ground at Cork.

The son of Galileo was well fancied in the Derby trial at Lingfield (11.5f) next time out but was unlucky to bump into Adaayar and Third Realm upon conditions that didn’t look to suit.

A great opportunity to bounce back here upon faster ground and should improve for the increase in distance being related to an Irish Leger winner.

Despite a difficult stall 15 draw, he looks a fairly solid value pick in the race.

Joseph O’Brien’s second entrant in the race is Benaud by which Irish champion jockey Colin Keane also travels over to ride.

Benaud was super impressive on his seasonal re-appearance last time out at Naas, coming from last to first to win a Royal Ascot trial over 10f.

The son of Australia steps up to 14f for the first time which does ask further questions of stamina however.

The runner is also yet to encounter good to firm ground which is going to be on display in the race, with his best form coming over softer underfoot conditions.

Mark Johnston’s second entrant in the race, Golden Flame has won his last 2 starts by wide margin victories, albeit in low grade affairs.

The son of Golden Horn seemed to relish the step up to 14f last time on the all-weather and has scope to progress again over the distance.

Having said this, the Queen’s Vase is a sharp raise in class and being one of the more experienced runners in the race, his form thus far has failed to live up to that expected of a possible Group 2 winner.

Recovery Run for Andrew Balding was a useful type as a 2yo, placing in the Zetland stakes (G3, 10f) on his final run of last season.

The son of Nathaniel has been to lesser effect thus far as a 3yo however with 9th of 10 and 5th of 6 placed finishes.

He will need to step up on those efforts to be involved here now upped to the 14f distance for the first time.

John and Thady Gosden’s, Law Of The Sea, stepped up on his debut 4th placed effort (10f) to land a quick fire double up at 12f in class 5 and 4 affairs respectively.

Last time out however, Law Of The Sea failed to prove himself of Group 3 quality when finishing last of 6 at Chester.

Cheekpieces have been applied to eek out further improvement and he may bounce back yet now upped to 14f, although does have it stacked against him here.

David Simcock’s Dirham Emirati stepped up on his debut effort to land a 12f class 5 novice on the all weather.

Tom Marquand’s mount in the race was to lesser effect next time out however in a class 4 affair and on that evidence, looks well below the expected standard to land this one.

John and Thady Gosden’s final entrant, Pied Piper, improved as a 2yo when stepped up to 10f to land a class 3 maiden at Newmarket upon heavy conditions.

The son of New Approach only managed a well beaten 2nd behind Golden Flame on his first try up at 14f before subsequently finishing 8 lengths off the pace at Sandown (Cl4, 14f).

Based on those efforts, he has an enormous amount to find here, especially on faster ground.