'He looked like he wasn't stopping' - can O'Brien and Moore claim Ascot closer?

Saturday: 6.10 Royal Ascot
Queen Alexandra Stakes (Handicap) | 2m5½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/Sky

There is an element of deja vu to the Queen Alexandra Stakes. Like in Thursday’s Gold Cup, Trueshan has been declared and takes out a large chunk of the market but is incredibly unlikely to run. The rain connections are yearning for appears destined not to materialise.

There was a case to be made in the Gold Cup that backing Trueshan after declarations at 6-1 was value despite his unlikely participation as that price would have at least halved had he lined up. Stakes would have been returned had he not.

However, bookmakers are leaving nothing to chance with his early odds here. A best-priced 11-8 lacks scope to shorten dramatically if the rain arrives. He is the likeliest winner if turning up, but we should ignore him and focus on the others.

The market significantly favours Wordsworth over Falcon Eight, but the pair should be similarly priced and it is worth turning to the latter.

There are few sire-broodmare combinations who have gelled as well as Galileo and Polished Gem have in recent years. Of the pair’s progeny we have Thursday’s Gold Cup winner Kyprios, dual Irish Leger heroine Search For A Song, Listed winner Amma Grace and Falcon Eight.

The 2021 Chester Cup scorer failed in his repeat bid on the Roodee off a monster weight in May but enhanced his profile in fifth and ran 1lb better on Racing Post Ratings off top weight.

That form is seriously working out this week. The second and fourth ran first and third in the Ascot Stakes and the winner ran second in the Copper Horse Handicap. Falcon Eight was conceding at least 12lb to those horses.

He is well suited by the conditions of this contest with an official rating of 108 and no penalty to carry. While this stamina-laden sort flopped in last season’s running, that run is excused as soft ground is not his forte.

Rejuvenated six-year-old Nate The Great has inexplicably turned a corner on his last two starts and is another to consider at a price.

Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

True weather worry

Looking to the skies may prove more useful than consulting the formbook when it comes to finding the last winner at Royal Ascot this year.

Trueshan is the best horse in the field for the Queen Alexandra Stakes and would have been a major contender for the Gold Cup on Thursday had the ground not been too quick for him to run.

And there is the issue. He has been declared for this race in case the weather changes, a storm arrives and conditions allow him to take his chance.

Trainer Alan King, who won this with Who Dares Wins two years ago, said: "It all depends on the weather. He's in great form and I'd love to be able to run him but we need to get rain."

Alan King: facing another weather dilemma with TrueshanCredit: Edward Whitaker

Aidan O'Brien is also seeking a second victory, having not landed the longest Flat race in Britain since Honolulu's success in 2008.

That is mainly because the multiple Irish champion trainer usually focuses on the bigger prizes of the week - he has run only two horses in this race in the past decade and both were placed.

Wordsworth is his first runner for five years, returning to the track where he finished second in the Queen's Vase last year and fourth in the Sagaro Stakes last month.

The brother to St Leger winner Kew Gardens was placed in the Irish Derby and Grand Prix de Paris last season and is expected by O'Brien to benefit from this long distance.

The trainer said: "He had a nice run over a shorter trip at the Curragh.

"We were delighted with his last visit to Ascot in the Sagaro. That was over two miles and he looked like he wasn't stopping so you'd be hoping he will like the trip."

What they say

Richard Hughes, trainer of Calling The Wind
He's an improved horse. He'll love the trip, he had a good prep over a mile and a half and we're going there hopeful but the ground is a bit of an unknown.

Ian Williams, trainer of Reshoun
He's had time to get over his run on Tuesday, he rehydrated quickly and seems in great form, so he'll more than likely take his chance. He didn't have as tough a race as he might have done as he missed the break, trailed the field then stayed on strongly, and he has no issues with track, trip or ground.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Urban Artist
She has form on the soft but she's a good mover and I hope she'll cope with the ground. She's a lovely mare and I was very pleased with the way she ran at York.

Reporting by David Carr

Day five at Royal Ascot:

2.30 Ascot: Is this Ballydoyle's next star? Aidan O'Brien on the exciting Alfred Munnings

3.05 Ascot: Is Noble Truth the one to beat? Jersey Stakes analysis and insight

3.40 Ascot: Will Hurricane Lane be fully tuned up on his return in Hardwicke?

4.20 Ascot: 'Same preparation and same form' - but will Home Affairs emulate Nature Strip?

5.00 Ascot: Trainer quotes and analysis to help you solve a Wokingham like no other

5.35 Ascot: 'He goes there with a good chance' - key quotes for the Golden Gates Stakes

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