Rhododendron Headlines Queen Anne Stakes' Field
Trainer Aidan O’Brien hopes to become a four time winner of this race by saddling the Gr. 1 Lockinge Stakes winner, Rhododendron. Her opposition includes Lightning Spear, who was a very close second in the Lockinge with her stable companion Lancaster Bomber back in third. Lancaster Bomber has alternative engagements at the Royal Meeting.
Godolphin’s Benbatl, trained by seven times winner Saeed bin Suroor. He has been in good form in Dubai through the winter and easily beat off his rivals in the Gr. 1 Dubai Turf in the Dubai World Cup undercard earlier this year.
Gr.1 Prix d’Ispahan winning French raider Recoletos trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias was a respectable fourth to Cracksman in the Champion Stakes at Ascot last year. He is best on soft ground which may not be the case at the Royal meeting, however how the son of Whipper adapts remains to be seen.
Lincoln Handicap winner Addeybb appeared to have his limitations exposed when only eighth in the Lockinge and is another that would prefer some cut in the ground.
The Galileo filly, Rhododendron seems to have just two obstacles to her lofty ambitions. Only time will tell.
Click Here To Watch Queen Anne Stakes Winner Race 2017
Full Winner List 2017:
1st Ribchester (R. Fahey,W. Buick), 2nd Mutakayyef (W. Haggas,J. Crowley), 3rd Deauville (A. O'Brien,R. Moore), 4th Spectre (M. Munch,S. Pasquier), 5th Kaspersky (J. Chapple-Hyam,M. Payne), 6th Dutch Connection (C. Hills,J. Doyle), 7th Cougar Mountain (A. O'Brien,D. O'Brien), 8th Oh This Is Us (R. Hannon, Jr.,P. Dobbs), 9th Lightning Spear (D. Simcock,J. Spencer), 10th Jallota (C. Hills,S. Sousa ), 11th American Patriot (T.Pletcher,J. Velazquez), 12th Kool Kompany (R. Hannon, Jr.P. Smullen), 13th Miss Temple City (H. Motion,E. Prado), 14th Toscanini (R. Fahey,P. Hanagan), 15th Ennaadd (R. Varian,A. Atzeni), 16th Dutch Uncle (R. Cowell,M. Harley)
Full Runner List:
1.Accidental Agent (E. Johnson Houghton C. Bishop), 2.Beat The Bank ( A. Balding,J. Crowley), 3.Benbatl (S. Suroor,C. Soumillon), 4.Century Dream (S. Crisford,W. Buick), 5.Deauville (A. O'Brien,D. O'Brien), 6.Lightning Spear (D. Simcock,O. Murphy), 7.Limato (H. Candy,J. Doyle), 8.Lord Glitters (D. O'Meara,J. Spencer), 9.Oh This Is Us (R. Hannon, ,T. Marquand), 10.Recoletos (C. Laffon-Parias,O. Peslier), 11.So Beloved (D. O'Meara,P. Makin), 12.Suedois (D. O'Meara,D. Tudhope), 13.Yoshida (W. Mott,J. Ortiz), 14.Zonderland (C. Cox,A. Kirby), 15.Rhododendron (A. O'Brien,R. Moore)
Race Type & Conditon:
Distance:1 mile (1,609 metres), Surface:Turf, Track:Straight, Qualification:Four-years-old and up, Weight:9 st 0 lb,Allowances,3 lb for fillies and mares,1 lb for S. Hemisphere 4yo, Purse:£685,000 (2017),1st: £388,464
Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretaristworld.com