Events / Paul Jacobs / 22 September 2009 /

This year's renewal of the QEII Stakes (Ascot Saturday) looks one of the best for many years with at least three top class colts at the peak of their powers likely to clash in the Group One event, writes Paul Jacobs.

As is the case with many top races, A P O'Brien could hold the key to the outcome of the QEII Stakes not only with his number one miler Rip Van Winkle, but the whole shape of the race beyond the Sussex Stakes hero and his pacemakers.

With Mastercraftsman likely to bypass the Berkshire showpiece, the Irish maestro has Poet and Set Sail as his two likely speedsters to ensure this will be a real test at the trip; something that seems imperative for the Goodwood winner.

There is little doubt in my mind that RVW, currently trading at [1.8], is the rightful favourite and were he to reproduce his recent success a clear cut victory would once again be on the cards.

However, there are two factors that may play against him here. Firstly, the son of Galileo has not had a straight forward prep for this event and secondly Delegator looked an improved horse in every respect when landing the Celebration Mile last time out.

A physically improved specimen from the last time we saw him on track in the St James's Palace, the second favourite looked well suited to Dettori's tactics that afternoon, a jockey I feel is better suited to his style than either Fortune or Spencer.

As I have said before Delegator cannot hit the front too late; his sparkling turn of foot a huge asset down this short home stretch.

Unfortunately he came to win his race too early at Royal Ascot and Mastercraftsman, a la Giant's Causeway, was allowed another shot at the pot to get back up inside the distance.

On the other side of the coin, Delegator finished ahead of RVW at Newmarket in the 2,000 Guineas, but the market leader's performances since then suggest that he has the ability to turn that form around with not only his Sussex run, but a superb second in the Eclipse on his CV.

And a line through Mastercraftsman further suggests there is very little between the two protagonists here.

That means the outcome of the race will be down to how the jockeys carry out their respective orders on the day and which horse is at the top of his game.

The third player to note is Prix Du Moulin winner Aqlaam. He showed a top class turn of foot to readily see off Famous Name that afternoon and to my eyes seems to have made up into a real professional of a racehorse in the last couple of months.

Zacinto had no excuses at Goodwood when behind Delegator although he remains open to more improvement and did well to finish so close when you consider he pulled hard enough in the opening exchanges.

In conclusion, priced up at around the [3.2] marker, Delegator is hardly a stampede wager at the price, but if Dettori can leave his challenge until as long as possible he could turn over RVW in what looks a fascinating renewal.

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