'The small field makes it trappier' - John Gosden on hot QEII favourite Inspiral

Saturday: 3.20 Ascot
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By Qipco) (Group 1) | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

The difference between Ascot's round and straight miles is worth looking at again, with Inspiral so dominant in the betting for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

The performance on which she is so short came over a mile at Ascot, but it was on the round mile in June's Coronation Stakes. Incidentally, her dam was also excellent on the round mile here.

The perception that the straight mile is slightly stiffer seems to bear out. The course record, set by Ribchester five years ago, is more than 0.7 seconds (about four lengths on fast ground) slower than Alpha Centauri's equivalent on the round course.

It is marginal stuff, so of greater concern is the general difference in character between the straight and round courses. The former tends to reward strong travellers more, whereas a change of gear like Inspiral's receives greater rewards on the round course.

Those looking for a chink in her armour may look there, but it's again marginal and certainly should not move anyone from the idea that she is the likeliest winner.

With the going unlikely to be extreme, ground should be no issue either, although it is noted that Inspiral is unbeaten on softer than good and has a soft-ground pedigree.

The softer the better for The Revenant, who ran a career-best in this race last year after a second in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein at Longchamp and has had an identical prep this season.

There are positive notes to be sounded on a couple of outsiders. Checkandchallenge was only a length and a half behind The Revenant at Longchamp and remains with potential to do better. He has a high cruising speed and ought to be suited by Ascot's straight mile.

El Drama has been brought back presumably with this race in mind and ran a highly encouraging second in the Joel Stakes last month after more than a year off.

The likeliest challenger to the favourite is Modern Games. He won the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) and has been beaten only by Baaeed over a mile this season.

He was a mightily impressive winner of the Woodbine Mile last time, which has been rated cautiously on Racing Post Ratings, but that still puts him in Inspiral's neighbourhood.

The Ascot question is a complete unknown for him, but half-sister Mawj was second in the Albany in June and if he's as effective here, then he can play his part in giving fans what they want from this year's QEII: Inspiral in full flight.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

'She's been freshened up'

Apart from a blip in the Falmouth Stakes when she was turned over at odds of 1-7, Inspiral has had another cracking year, and attempts to round off the campaign with a third Group 1 success of the season.

The daughter of Frankel had to dig deep to deny Light Infantry at Deauville in August last time out, but has been given a good break since.

Joint-trainer John Gosden said: "She put in a great performance when winning the Prix Jacques le Marois last time since when we've waited for this race.

"She's been freshened up but a small field makes it slightly trappier for her. It would have been better if it was a bigger field, especially as she's drawn on the wing in nine."

He added: "She's versatile as regards ground, which will probably be sticky, but it will be better on the straight course than the round. That will be her finished for the year as she's not going to the Breeders' Cup."

Victory at Ascot would give her a record of seven wins from eight starts and enhance her standing as a special filly.

What they say

Roger Varian, trainer of El Drama and Bayside Boy
Bayside Boy comes into the race off the back of a confidence boosting win and he has fresh legs for the time of year, as has El Drama. El Drama ran very well when second in the Joel Stakes last time and has come on for that. They're both outsiders, but they'll both outrun their odds.

Ed Crisford, joint-trainer of Jadoomi
He's an exciting horse, and I couldn't be happier with him. I was delighted with his two Group 2 wins, and Sheikh Ahmed was keen to supplement him for this Group 1. He has improved throughout the year, and continues on an upward curve - he deserves a crack at a big one. The showers during the week were welcome, and the ground will suit.

Simon Turner, racing manager for Hambleton Racing, owners of Tempus
I am told he is the highest-rated syndicate horse in training, and obviously we're very proud of him. He was bought for 25,000gns last August, and is now taking our owners to Ascot for Champions Day with a genuine chance of running well. It's a hot race, but both course and distance will be perfect, and the ground looks ideal. We're very happy with him.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Modern Games
He didn't stay in the French Derby, albeit he was beaten by a very good horse in Vadeni. We dropped him down to seven furlongs at Deauville, and he found that on the sharp side before stepping back up to a mile in the Sussex Stakes and running a fantastic second to Baaeed. The long-term plan with him was always Canada and then the Breeders' Cup. He found it all very easy in the Woodbine Mile, and this race fits in well as a stepping stone to the Breeders' Cup.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Champions Day previews:

1.25 Ascot: Can Trueshan recapture his best in a stellar running of the Long Distance Cup?

2.00 Ascot: 'He’s the one they’ve got to beat' - Appleby confident as top sprinters clash

2.40 Ascot: Can Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn bounce back from King George flop?

4.00 Ascot: Will it be 11 and out or can anyone spoil 'incredible' Baaeed's retirement party?

4.40 Ascot: 'He leads Baaeed every day'- who has had the ideal Balmoral prep?

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