2016 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Ante-Post Betting Update

The 2016 renewal of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes takes place at Ascot, on Saturday October 15th. Freddy Head’s Solow won this race last year and was the first 5-year-old to do so since Ramonti in 2007. Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders in this season’s race…

Ribchester

Richard Fahey’s Iffraaj-sired bay colt finished 3rd in the 2,000 Guineas and then won the Jersey Stakes at Ascot (beating the likes of Thikriyaat, Castle Harbour and Remarkable.

He ran too keenly in the Sussex Stakes, yet still stayed-on well to finish 3rd. Ribchester then crossed the channel and narrowly beat Vadamos to land the G1 Jacques Le Marois (Deauville). Notable scalps he took in that race included those of Ervedya, Galileo Gold and Esoterique. Will surely go very close.

Galileo Gold

The 2,000 Guineas winner has been one of the stars of 2016. He finished runner-up in the Irish 2,000 Guineas (behind The Gurkha) before reversing that form in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

However, The Gurkha re-established dominance by narrowly beating Galileo Gold in the Sussex Stakes. A poor performance last time out, in the Jacques Le Marios, gives cause for concern. He has endured a long, hard season and fatigue may well be an issue. Still likely to go-off as one of the favourites.

Belardo

Roger Varian’s Lope De Vega colt began the season by winning the Doncaster Mile, but was failed to deliver when a 13/8 favourite in G2 company at Sandown.

This led to most punters writing off his chances in the Lockinge Stakes, but he looked a horse transformed and beat Euro Charline by a length. Further back in the field were Limato, Toormore and Kodi Bear, so it was by no means a weak renewal.

Belardo was the only runner to get close to Tepin, in the Queen Anne Stakes and he must be in with a shout.

There are others worthy of consideration including Alice Springs, Mutakayyef, Awtaad, Lightning Spear and (with a run) Minding. Each-way backers might well find Stormy Antarctic, Hathal and Cougar Mountain appealing.

October 15th is British Champions Day at Ascot and you definitely won’t want to miss it. Other races on the card include the Long Distance Cup, the Sprint Stakes, the Fillies and Mares’ Stakes, the Champion Stakes and the Balmoral Handicap.

British Champions Day was only created in 2011, but is already an established event and amongst the most-important meetings of the season.

The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes has had some fantastic winners down the years, including Frankel, George Washington, Desert Prince, Warning and of course the great Brigadier Gerard.

Which horse will come out on top, in 2016?