Hong Kong's champion will find this straight 1600m a different challenge to the turns of Sha Tin where he has built his massive reputation, including four super stylish G1's over 1400m and 1600m. However his ability to accelerate off a fast pace marks him down as a real star and if he can reproduce his Sha Tin form at Ascot, he is going to take a lot of beating.
2
Cougar Mountain
From a stable with a strong record in this event, though Cougar Mountain will start at long odds to maintain that this time. Cougar Mountain has taken on some hot company in his six race career over this distance and shorter and was 11th of 16 behind Night Of Thunder in a G1 at Newbury last time.
3
Glory Awaits
Won a valuable G2 on deep ground in Turkey last September in which classy Toormore was amongst his victims. He ran a solid second in Listed company on his 2015 seasonal debut but struggled last time, and though this shorter distance is more appropriate, it was hardly a good trial for an event of this quality.
4
Here Comes When
Most of his five career wins have come on a softish surface and those conditions would probably need to prevail for him to have any winning chance here. He beat 12 rivals in a G2 at Newmarket last October but he struggled in the closing battle in the G1 at Newbury won by Night Of Thunder last month.
5
Night Of Thunder
Made his name when winning last season's 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, landing a 40-1 shock in that three-year-old G1 Classic. Right back at his best when gaining another G1 success at Newbury last month and he is proven over this course and distance having run an excellent second in a Royal Ascot G1 a year ago. He has a terrific attitude and is versatile as he can be ridden from any position in a race.
6
Solow
Has thrived since being dropped in distance and was breathtaking when surging clear of some top class opposition in the G1 Dubai Turf over 1800m at Meydan in March. He didn't need to be at his best to win another G1 - at Longchamp - last month and has reportedly been superb at home in recent work. He should relish the stiff finish at Ascot.
7
Toormore
Closely matched to Night Of Thunder and he should be sharper for his neck second to that rival in G1 Lockinge Stakes over this 1600m distance at Newbury last month. However, although he was a G1 winner as a two-year-old there must be a suspicion that he may lack what is required in this outstanding renewal of the Queen Anne Stakes.
8
Esoterique
Ran poorly over this course and distance at Royal Ascot last year but she does have G1 winning form over a straight 1600m, though only having to beat three rivals that day at Deauville last August. She has a sharp change of gears at her best and deserves some respect from France's dominant stable.
