Graeme Rodway with his advice on which stayer could land the Queen's Cup

3.35 Musselburgh
Betway Queen's Cup | 1m6f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

There are not many better at training stayers on the Flat than Mark Johnston and he has had a remarkable 107 winners from 541 runners in races over 1m6f and further in the last five years.

He is responsible for five of the 14 runners here and the booking of apprentice Andrew Breslin for King’s Advice catches the eye because the son of Frankel has dropped to his lowest mark (97) since April 2019 and is dangerously treated even without Breslin’s allowance. He can be considered absolutely thrown in if you include the extra 5lb.

Breslin has had 700 rides since the start of 2016 and is one of the more experienced apprentices. King’s Advice is usually a straightforward ride, too.

The overnight market leader Nate The Great is also partnered by an apprentice who claims 5lb and William Carver has ridden more winners (45) than Breslin (39), despite having nearly half the rides (386). Carver was on Nate The Great for his Wolverhampton win.

That was a masterful tactical display from Carver, who always had his mount well placed off a steady gallop and took full advantage of getting first run on those from further behind.

This is going to be quite a different race tactically, though. Glencadam Glory, Notation, Cardano, Hochfeld and The Grand Visir usually go forward, so the pace should be strong.

Since 2016, front-runners have beaten only 47 per cent of their rivals over this course and distance and it hasn’t been easy to make all – it will be even harder if there is a pace battle.

Indianapolis will not be involved early and should have the race run to suit on his debut for Ian Williams. The trainer has garnered a reputation for reviving similarly classy stayers and, since the start of 2016, a £1 bet on all his runners who were making their debut for the stable in races over 1m6f-plus would have yielded a profit of £27.07 (8-60; 13 per cent).
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Tim Easterby, trainer of Glencadam Glory
He was unlucky not to win a race last season and he's a really good horse. We were chinned in the Ebor when he was second and that was his aim for the year. Don't get me wrong, being second in the Ebor is like winning three races for some horses and everybody was delighted with the effort, it was just a shame for him he didn't get his head in front. He seemed to train off a little after that race but he's in super form at home and I'd expect him to run well in this.

Shaun Lycett, trainer of Torcello
He's in very good form. We tried him up in trip and he was a good second at Taunton. He was staying on at the end of a jumpers' bumper and that's turned out to be quite good form.

Phil Kirby, trainer of Stargazer
He's in good form and is off a winnable mark. It's competitive but he's in good order and it was always the plan to go for this. Whether he's a better all-weather horse than he is on turf, maybe, but I'd say he's in really good form so we'll go and take our chance.
Reporting by Stuart Riley

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