John Gosden targets first Queen Anne Winner in Palace Pier

Queen Anne Stakes favourite Palace Pier has been beaten only once in his life – in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO) at last year’s QIPCO British Champions Day.

Last month’s win in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury was another masterclass. Palace Pier was never in the slightest danger, and his change of gear was as good as it gets. Frankie Dettori, who has ridden six Queen Anne winners, but none since 2007, was left purring with delight at the acceleration he showed.

Gosden respects the opposition, but is full of admiration for his colt. He said: “He’s a lovely horse and he did everything right last year until the end. He’s come back well this year and we are happy with him. There’s plenty to look forward to.

“He handled the (soft) ground in the Lockinge, and maybe some like Lope Y Fernandez didn’t, so I think that now we are back now on summer ground you’ll see a lot more horses come into play on it.”

Coolmore contingent ready to battle

Aidan O’Brien runs Order Of Australia as well as Lope Y Fernandez, who he has confirmed hated the ground when down the field in the Lockinge. 

Order Of Australia follows the same route as 2020 winner Circus Maximus in that he makes his seasonal debut. He had Lope Y Fernandez back in a close third when a shock winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile. The pair were split by Circus Maximus in a remarkable 1-2-3 for the stable. 

Ryan Moore has chosen to partner Order Of Australia but on their best form there’s not much between them. It’s also worth remembering Moore chose wrong at Keeneland, and that he has forfeited two Classics to Frankie Dettori this year.

Familiar foes back for more

On paper the Lockinge third Top Rank will have his work cut out turning the tables, having finished seven lengths behind the winner at Newbury, with no obvious excuse. Trainer James Tate is nevertheless looking forward to the rematch.

Tate said: “He’s in really good form and might even have come on a bit for Newbury. So it’s Palace Pier, round two.

“Palace Pier’s only defeat came at Ascot, whereas we’ve never run there. Maybe we are an Ascot specialist and just don’t know it yet!”

Charlie Hills is under no illusions about the task Pogo faces in a rematch with Palace Pier. But he believes the five-year-old earned his place in the line-up. 

He said: “Pogo didn’t handle the conditions at all at Newbury, and fast ground at Ascot will suit him better. He’ll have a chance of some place money, I hope.”

Past winners Accidental Agent (2018) and Lord Glitters (2019) also feature in a field of 11. Accidental Agent hasn’t won since, but Eve Johnson Houghton reckons she has him right back to form.

She said: “He’s as well as I’ve had him since he won – I couldn’t be happier with him. We’ve all got Palace Pier to beat obviously, but I really think he could run a huge race. He had a lot of niggly problems, but we’ve worked everything out.

“He’s really enjoying himself and he ran a huge race under a big weight at Newbury, where he wasn’t fit enough but I needed to get a run into him. I’m looking forward to it.”

Andrea Atzeni likes Prince Eiji, who went down only narrowly to Oh This Is Us in a Listed race over course and distance. He said: “He’s a fast-ground horse, he likes Ascot and his homework has been good. Probably none of us can beat Palace Pier, but he’s a ride I’m looking forward to”

The remainder of the field comprise six-year-old Regal Reality, who bids to give Sir Michael Stoute a first success in the race since 2002. William Knight’s Sir Busker, who has continued to improve since winning last year’s Silver Hunt Cup. And David Simcock’s Bless Him, who was eight lengths behind Palace Pier at Sandown in April.