Mott taking aim at Queen Anne with China Horse Club-owned Yoshida

The American challenge for Royal Ascot is invariably spearheaded by Wesley Ward but, while he is readying another strong team for this year's meeting, he is not the only trainer from the states who will be represented later this month.

The first race of the meeting, the Queen Anne Stakes, was claimed by an American runner in 2016 with Tepin winning for Mark Casse, and this year hopes will rest with the Bill Mott-trained Yoshida.

Royal Ascot entries

The colt, who won the Grade 1 Old Forester at Churchill Downs last month, is a best-priced 20-1 shot for the Group 1 and pleased Mott when working at Saratoga on Saturday.

Yoshida completed four furlongs on the dirt training track in 50 seconds, and Mott told reporters: "He worked very well. He did it on his own."

Beckford back with new connections

Beckford, who was due to run in the Commonwealth Cup for new trainer Brendan Walsh, will miss Royal Ascot after sustaining a leg fracture while working.

Beckford signed off his juvenile season with Gordon Elliott when fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf before joining Walsh, for whom he made a winning start in April when claiming the William Walker Stakes at Churchill Downs.

“It’s something he should be able to recover from but obviously it’s disappointing,” Walsh told the Daily Racing Form.

Beckford: back for more at Royal Ascot, but this time for new connectionsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The Todd Pletcher-trained Gidu, a son of Frankel, is, however, due to run in the Commonwealth Cup, while Bucchero (Tim Glyshaw) will add further American flavour to the King's Stand.

The six-year-old will face last year's winner Lady Aurelia and Battaash among others.

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