Inspiral Headlines Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot

The difference between Ascot's round and straight mile is worth looking at again, with Cheveley Park Stud's Inspiral  so dominant in the betting for the Oct. 15 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Sponsored by QIPCO (G1).

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 (G1). 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 travelers more, whereas a change of gear like Inspiral's receives greater rewards on the round course. 

Those looking for a chink in her armor 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 Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein (G2) at ParisLongchamp 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.

The likeliest challenger to the favorite is Modern Games . He won the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains—French Two Thousand Guineas (G1) and has been beaten only by Baaeed  over a mile this season. 

He was a mightily impressive winner of the Ricoh Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1T) last time, which has been rated cautiously on Racing Post Ratings, but that still puts him in Inspiral's neighborhood.

"He didn't stay in the French Derby, albeit he was beaten by a very good horse in Vadeni (FR)," trainer Charlie Appleby said. "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 (Qatar) Sussex Stakes (G1) 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."

The Ascot question is a complete unknown for him, but half sister Mawj  was second in the Albany Stakes (G3) 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.



'She's Been Freshened Up'

Apart from a blip in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (G1) 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 du Haras de Fresnay Le Buffard Jacques Le Marois, G1) 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 Inspiral a record of seven wins from eight starts and enhance her standing as a special filly.