Queen Anne

Nulty

Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (CLASS 1) (4yo+) Winner £141,925
Good 1m Number of runners: 10

Card
Betting

(Draw) Horse
(4) Calming Influence
(9) Cat Junior
(8) Dalghar
(10) Dream Eater
(7) Ouqba
(6) Paco Boy
(2) Pipedreamer
(5) Rip Van Winkle
(3) Zacinto
(1) Goldikova



It appears at first sight that there are three horses in this race and even those can be predicted in their finishing positions.

Calming Influence come here off the back of a good run in the Godolphin Mile at Meydan. Its not quite clear what hes capable of but the odds and his current mark suggest he needs to improve heavily to figure. While its not imposible, as a five year old he looks exposed. Anothe big run however could see him pick up some prize money. While having a decent strike rate al Zaroonis worst stats are with 4yo+.

Cat Junior has been just short of top notch his whole career. After chasing Henrythenavigator home in the St. James Palace in '08, his only success other than a maiden came in Meydan wining a G3 on Tapeta. Unlikely he's going to start improving now.

Dalghar is the French challenger. A 4yo whos been first or second in 5 of 7 career starts, he looks like he hasn't shown his best yet. Its interesting that he's been brought over to challenge Goldikova and the likes but has a very good opportunity to break the good sequence he racked up. May make the frame but asking a lot. Should be the biggest test he's likely to face

Dream Eater has been tried at this level numerous times and biggest success coming in a Listed race last year. Would need some horses to run out if was going to win IMO. Consistent but not up to the level.

Ouqba has promised to be a good horse for a while now and last time showed he was better than his odds suggested, giving Paco Boy a fright in the Lockinge. Paco Boy had plenty more on that day and looks to be holding the promising Ouqba. that was first time out for the now 4yo and I think he's a lively outsider to improve and pick up some good prizes during the year. The manner of Paco Boys performance that day suggest it wont be today.

Paco Boy has turned from 7f to 8f with succes and has a couple of goods successes already this year coming into the Queen Anne. A horse in form is a dangerous horse and hes rightly near the top of the market. Hannon is bang in form this year and there should be no problems for Paco Boy should he run to form, he will need to improve a little to get past the market protagonists though as he was well held by Rip van Winkle in last years Sussex.

Pipedreamer is a G2 winner on Sft in France over 10f. He hasn't been tried at 8f much and its probable that Kevin ryan knows he won't win a G1 at that distance. He drops back to the mile in hope of improvement and while consistent in his run, hes not prolific and probably needs a lot to go right for him. May lack pace againt the top milers in the world.

Rip van Winkle has been laid off for 220 days and will need to be race fit if hes going to take this. O' Brien has had an unusually lean spell this year but Fame and Glory hasn't shown any drop in form. That horse did need a couple of runs to get back to fitness and thats the worry for punters with Rip. will O' Brien have him spot on? He's one of the best milers of his generation and if hes fit he will surely be in the places.

Zacinto badly disappointed in the Lockinge, trailing of to finish last after being eased. No clear reason found for that disappointing run and a massive turn around will be needed if hes to be competitive. He blew up at Santa Anita chasing Goldikova home on the last start of '09 and perhaps there is something wrong with the horse that hasn't been detected. He lines up here with a chance if he reverts to the form that saw him second to Rip van Winkle over course and distance in October last year.

Goldikova, the super mare, dual winner of the Breeders Cup Mile, and unbeaten over a mile in seven consecutive G1s bar her first try, going down to the incredible Zarkava. Shes at the top of the market at around 13/8 and looks to have the race at her mercy. Race fit after pleasing win over 9f at Longchamp its really difficult to oppose her. Her biggest threats are the ones with something to prove and with the mares allowance as always she almost looks like a good thing. It doesn't always work out like that though and if the others are ready, she will know shes had a race what ever the outcome.

Whats going to happen?

UrbanSea

Just stuck 40 on Goldikova at 7/4,it's all I had. Can't see her getting beat here.

Nulty

I forgot Dalghar is a half brother to Daylami and Dalakhani. He certainly has the pedigree to take the step forward.

supremenovice

Its Rip Van Winkle for me. Love this horse and felt that he only showed 90% last season. I think he will have come as a 4yo but, of course, O Briens do tend to need the run.

Nulty

supremenovice wrote: »

Its Rip Van Winkle for me. Love this horse and felt that he only showed 90% last season. I think he will have come as a 4yo but, of course, O Briens do tend to need the run.

I'm not trying to be condescending but I'd suggest if your going to have a bet that you use your head and not your heart. O'Briens said himself that he'll come on for the run. He's facing the best miler in the world...

Whyno

Also factor in that RVW has never won over a straight mile. May well mean fcuk all but i think it can be a deciding factor.
Paco Boy cant beat him on all known form and only race fitness will beat RVW n this match.
However Goldikova is a different proposition. Last year over a straight mile in deauville she anihilated aqlaam and a few other decent animals and i feel this was one of her best performances. Shes a 2 time BC mile champion with a massive turn of foot. She can be a bit dodgy at the start and also can sometimes be a bit free in her races but with her allowance she has to be the pick.

If RVW had of had a run i would be more confident with him but most of AOB's horses first time out have ran weelish but always needed the run. Its a big ask against race fit animals but i do feel he is special and will be champion miler this year so who knows we may see Johnny take it up with 4f to go and just gallop them into submission.

Whyno

http://www.attheraces.com/VideoConsole/?xtra=100614_obrien&brand=ATR

I think i'm going for RVW after this interview. They had no pacemaker for the race.Find that hard to believe. RVW all the way

Nulty

Whyno wrote: »

http://www.attheraces.com/VideoConsole/?xtra=100614_obrien&brand=ATR

I think i'm going for RVW after this interview. They had no pacemaker for the race.Find that hard to believe. RVW all the way

I don't know what was said in that interview to make you go in on Rip. He's around 4/1 now which is probably the most attractive thing about backing him. The price isn't going to make him any fitter but good luck.

Dalghar is going to be the winner though

UrbanSea

Just saw the result,happy out Goldi made me my beer money to celebrate finishin the leavin tomorrow

supremenovice

And so my losing streak continues...since The Grand Annual at Cheltenham this year.
Oh I sware Im wondering whats the point!