QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES:AQLAAM WILL bid to show his younger rivals the way home in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot tomorrow. After turning in placed efforts in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, the Willie Haggas-trained four-year-old hit the bullseye in Group One company with an authoritative display in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp.
Angus Gold, racing manager for owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, reports the colt to have taken those exertions well and although he is forced to concede weight to the likes of Delegator and Rip Van Winkle at the weekend, Gold is hoping for the best.
“Everything is fine with the horse as far as I know. William seems very happy with him and he’s in good form,” said Gold.
“I spoke to him earlier in the week and he says the horse is moving well so we’ll see what happens. The ground should be fine for him as we think he wants faster ground, so we can’t complain about that.”
Five horses have been declared for the contest, but just four are likely to go to post with Aidan O’Brien only declaring Mastercraftsman as a back-up to preferred runner Rip Van Winkle.
Godolphin’s Celebration Mile hero Delegator will bid for his first success at the highest level, while the Michael Stoute-trained Zacinto, second to Delegator at Goodwood, completes the line-up.
BETTING (Queen Elizabeth II Stakes) — William Hill bet: 5-6 Rip Van Winkle, 11-4 Delegator, 6-1 Mastercraftsman, 7-1 Aqlaam, 20-1 Zacinto. Coral: 8-11 Rip Van Winkle, 15-8 Delegator, 15-2 Aqlaam, 25-1 Zacinto. Ladbrokes: 4-5 Rip Van Winkle, 9-4 Delegator, 11-2 Aqlaam, 16-1 Zacinto, SP Mastercraftsman.
