Frankie Dettori has a strong book of rides for the Royal meeting and his good form could continue with Gregory in the 1m6f Group 2 Queen's Vase on Wednesday. The unbeaten Golden Horn colt was a comfortable winner of a 1m3½ novice stakes at Haydock Park on debut. He followed up with a three-length success in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood, despite having to be pushed along at the three furlong marker when showing signs of inexperience. Half-brother Lionel also won the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes before finished third in the 1m6f Listed Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot, indicating Gregory will have little problem with the step up in trip.
His Majesty The King is represented by the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Circle Of Fire, who was a juvenile winner over a mile at Salisbury. He stepped up to Listed company for his reappearance and finished a good second in the Newmarket Stakes over ten furlongs. The Almanzor colt finished third in the Lingfield Derby Trial (switched to the all-weather due to ground conditions on the turf course) which would not have suited and will be racing on quicker ground for the first time since his maiden success last September.
Chesspiece was a debut winner at Newcastle in November, beating the re-opposing Hadrianus and looked an improved horse on his return to action in April when third behind Military Order in a hot Newbury novice stakes. He put up an excellent performance to defy top weight in a twelve furlong York handicap and the yard have been in great form with a 24% strike rate (8-34) from the last fourteen days.
An Aidan O'Brien runner can never be ignored at the Royal meeting and he has proven form over a stamina trip as a last-start winner of the 1m5f Listed Yeats Stakes at Navan. He was held-up in the rear by jockey Seamie Heffernan and made headway two furlongs out, showing a good attitude to hold on for a half-length victory ahead of the re-opposing Etna Rossa.
Andrew Balding's Saint George has improved with each step up in distance and has won his last two starts. He had to be shaken up to score over 1m3f on the all-weather at Southwell but relished the stamina test when scoring by two lengths over 1m6½f at Doncaster in a handicap on good ground. He is yet to experience ground faster than good but breeding would suggest he'll enjoy the conditions at the Royal meeting.
Hadrianus has been well-held by some useful performances this season, finishing placed behind Epictetus, Arrest and Gregory on his three runs. He was beaten nearly four lengths in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood over 1m3f but is another runner who will appreciate the step up in distance and looks a value bet at 16/1. The stable is in solid form with a strike rate of 25% (20-79) from the last fourteen days.
WIN: GREGORY
PLACE: HADRIANUS
