Galileo Gold And Ribchester set for fourth clash in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

Galileo Gold, winner of the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes, and Ribchester, who landed the Jacques le Marois on his latest start, remain on course to meet for a fourth time in the QIPCO-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, which is run over Ascot’s straight mile.

The star three-year-olds are among 15 entries who remain in the Group 1 contest, which carries prize money of £1.1 million after the addition of a supplementary entry today – Jet Setting, the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas winner.

Galileo Gold had Ribchester three and a half lengths back in third when winning the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in April but was only a short head ahead of him when the pair were second and third, behind The Gurkha, in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in July. Ribchester turned the tables when landing the Jacques le Marois last time, Galileo Gold fading to be beaten about three lengths into eighth.

Aidan O’Brien, seeking a fourth success in the race and a first since it was introduced as part of the Champions Day card, has four entries, the most intriguing being Minding, the six-time Group 1 winner whose triumphs this year include the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and Investec Oaks. Other top contenders include Awtaad, the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas winner, and Lightning Spear, fluent winner of the Doom Bar Celebration Mile at Goodwood.

Kevin Buckley, UK Representative for Coolmore Stud, on Minding.

“Minding will appreciate the little break that she’s had since the Irish Champion and she’s very versatile when it comes to distance so there are lot of options for her on Saturday.

“Seventh Heaven is in very good form and, after she probably didn’t handle Epsom, things got back on track and she was obviously a decisive winner at York last time.”

Ed Walker, trainer of Stormy Antarctic, said: “In the Marois we were guilty of worrying about one horse, Galileo Gold, too much. We felt that he was the one to beat. He overraced and the pace was just too strong up front and it teed it up for the finishers. We were caught up on the fast pace and paid the price at the end.

“However, I don’t think that you can finish second in two Group 1s and both of them be a fluke, he’s definitely good enough but hasn’t had a huge amount of luck so far this season. He’s in cracking form and goes into the race fresh and we know that he runs very well fresh so we’re really up for it. It’s a championship race but he’s in great order.

“Any rain would be welcome. He proved in the Jean Prat that he goes on faster ground. He just needs to settle, that’s the key with him, but he’s got a very good turn of foot.”

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