How to Bet the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot

A sensational field of 15 will travel one-mile on the Royal Ascot lawn in a fine renewal of the $874,000 Queen Anne Stakes (G1). The winner of the one-mile test will gain a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Churchill Downs in the “Win & You’re In” event.

Royal Ascot Betting Guide

Here’s a look at the Queen Anne field:

#1 ACCIDENTAL AGENT – Longshot was a winner at this meeting in 2017 against lesser and looks a cut below at this stage of his development.

#2 BEAT THE BANK – Andrew Balding charge has been a bit of an all-or-nothing type with five wins and a trio of distant finishes from eight lifetime performances. Paco Boy gelding is not impossible today and the price (15-1 morning line) is right. 

#3 BENBATL – One of the stars of the Dubai Carnival, four-year-old colt has come on for Godolphin/Saeed bin Suroor, posting a sterling victory in the Dubai Turf (G1), and won a Group 3 race during Royal Ascot last year. Standout son of Dubawi is a pacey sort and the cutback to one mile appears within his scope. Christophe Soumillon riding is always a positive.

#4 CENTURY DREAM – Cape Cross colt shows wins in two straight but gets a real class test today. Simon Crisford charge was supplemented to this race which makes him interesting at big odds.

#5 DEAUVILLE – Five-year-old by Galileo was a strong third in the 2017 Queen Anne behind Ribchester but doesn’t return in strong form for Aidan O’Brien, weakening to fifth after setting the pace in the Lockinge (G1) last time. A top-three candidate with his best but some questions today.

#6 LIGHTNING SPEAR – Classy sort was third in the 2016 Queen Anne, but didn’t offer the same when ninth at 5-1 odds in 2017. Chestnut does look intriguing this time around, recording a huge second in the Lockinge when opening 2018 last time, and he could loom large in the latter stages here.

#7 LIMATO – Group-1 hero is best sprinting, making the mile trip a questionable one at this level. Henry Candy charge didn’t impress in the Lockinge and needs big improvement against this cast.

#8 LORD GLITTERS – Gelding would be a surprise even with a forward move on the steep class hike.

#9 OH THIS IS US – Five-year-old has never placed from four prior runs at Ascot and is at least a notch below these on his best day.

#10 RECOLETOS –Like the way he’s opened his four-year-old season, recording a pair of convincing tallies in France, and finished a respectable fourth to wunderkind Cracksman when shipping to Ascot for the Champion S. (G1) last fall. Recoletos looks more formidable now and must be regarded as a dangerous win contender.

#11 SO BELOVED – Eight-year-old appears past his prime and would be an absolute shocker.

#12 SUEDOIS – Hard-knocking type ran well last fall, winning the Shadwell (G1) at Keeneland and finishing a close fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar, but may not be sharp enough to challenge in this spot following an even seventh in the Lockinge in his seasonal debut.

#13 YOSHIDA – U. S. invader returned off the layoff to notch a stylish win in the Old Forester Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs and has pointed for this race for some time. A four-year-old for Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Japanese-bred son of Heart’s Cry has room for further development and can handle it less-than-firm, but he’s going to need to step up to challenge against these foes.

#14 ZONDERLAND – Chestnut son of Dutch Art has not impressed in two Group-1 races of late. Lightly raced sort has ability but lands in an ambitious spot today.

#15 RHODODENDRON – A fast-closing second from post 14 in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), Coolmore homebred got very good in the second half of 2017 and has carried it over as a four-year-old. Filly established herself as the one to beat in her Ascot debut winning the Lockinge.

Analysis

Rhododendron looks super tough on form and the straight mile at Ascot could be ideal for the classy lass. She is a must use beneath Ryan Moore.

Beat the Bank was headstrong in the Lockinge and never challenged. But the Balding charge is much better than that and I envision him showing vast improvement with one under his belt.

Recoletos is hoping to follow the same path as the mighty Solow, who garnered this race in 2015 following a win in the Prix d’Ispahan (Fr-G1) at Longchamp.

Wager

$20 Win: #2 BEAT THE BANK = $20

$5 Exacta Box: 2-10-15 = $30

$5 Exacta: 15 with 2,10 = $10

Check out the 2018 Royal Ascot News & Notes Blog for more information