The odds on Inspiral to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored by Qipco) at Ascot (3.20) on Saturday may be as short as Evens today but this is far from a one horse race.
The John and Thady Gosden trained filly comes into the race off an excellent win in Deauville. The Prix Du Haras De Fresnay Le Buffard Jacques Le Marois was a tight affair featuring some strong 3-year-old colts and fillies. Turning the form on its head from The Falmouth, Inspiral saw off her nemesis Prosperous Voyage into a distant eighth place (approx 7 lengths) and left several strong colts in her wake.
The Queen Elizabeth Stakes may be tougher still. Modern Games, El Drama and Jadoomi may all have enough to prevent this from becoming a procession. Dettori may not get things all his own way.
Although no horse over the age of five has won the race since 1970, the seven-year-old Revenant should not be discounted. Having won this contest as recently as 2020, the lightly raced French horse may just surprise a few on Saturday. Not that history is really in the gelding’s favour in a race that has favoured younger runners.
Two runners do not have Group 1 form and will face their sternest test yet: Tempus and Raadorbarg.
Although Inspiral is likely to go off odds on, she faces a tougher challenge than that in my book. Not that I’d be brave enough to back against her adding this title to an impressive 2022 haul.