Architect Tips advises two best bets after analysing the complete field of 16 runners for the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Stakes.
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes is the feature race on the fifth and final day of Royal Ascot. 16 runners will head to post and the marker suggests this is a wide-open renewal with no standout favourite.
Let’s assess each runner and hopefully identify the value and the winner.
Jubilee Stakes Runner-By-Runner Guide
Annaf
Likable and consistent sprinter who finished a very good third at this meeting two years ago when third in the King’s Stand Stakes. He’s placed on all three starts this year and could outrun his odds, but he’s vulnerable to younger rivals, and it would come as a major shock to see him break his duck at the highest level in this race.
Elite Status
Placed in the Norfolk Stakes here two years ago and wasn’t beaten far when fourth in a Group 2 race at York last time out, but he looks out of his depth in these deeper waters, and others are preferred.
Grand Grey
Has done useful form abroad and made an encouraging stable debut when second at Newmarket in a Group 3 race. He was found out in a Group 2 in Ireland last time out though and it’s hard to see him being competitive.
Iberian
Made the most of a drop in grade to score at Southwell and went close at Doncaster on his next start. However, he was comfortably held in the Greenlands Stakes when last seen and this is much tougher, so he’s opposed.
Inisherin
An impressive winner of the Commonwealth Cup over C&D at this meeting a year ago and got back to winning ways at York last time out. The booking of William Buick catches the eye, and given he’s the only Group 1 course winner in the field, the four-year-old will be primed to run a big race.
James’s Delight
An interesting outsider. He finished a credible eighth in the Champions Sprint over C&D on his final start last season and returned to his best when winning the Greenlands Stakes last time out in Ireland. Colin Keane is an appealing jockey booking, so although a new personal best is required, it would come as no surprise to see him exceed market expectations.
Jasour
Highly tried last season and finished third in the Commonwealth Cup here. He hasn’t looked the same horse in two starts this year though, and he has it all to prove, given he’s still not learned to settle and appears to be regressing rather than progressing. Not for me.
Lazzat
Winner of the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in August and warmed up for this with success in a Listed race last month. He’s tried a mile twice, which didn’t work out, and he’s two from two over six furlongs. He has the potential to be a great sprinter but his odds seem skinny and the Group 1 he won wasn’t a vintage renewal. I’m happy to take him on at the prices.
Run To Freedom
Showed he retains a chunk of his ability when fourth in a Group 3 race last time out and has often outran his odds, but he’s not getting any younger, and will do well to make the frame let alone come out on top.
Sajir
French raider for Andre Fabre. He’s won five of his 11 starts and hasn’t been disgraced in two previous Group 1s without looking the likely winner. He ran well when second last time out, but this is tougher, and there’s no solidified evidence to suggest he’s up to this level. He might outrun his odds, but for win purposes and value, he can be passed over.
Satono Reve
Fascinating Japanese runner with eight wins from 13 starts and only found the legendary Ka Ying Rising too good last time out. This stiff finish should really suit him and connections wouldn’t be over here just for the day out. He is the joint top-rated in the field (118) and should give a good account of himself.
Storm Boy
Switched to this stable for a huge sum after a successful stint in Australia, but failed to beat a rival on his stable debut, and even the great Aidan O’Brien will do well to get this horse to peak on this stage after that disappointing effort. I wouldn’t fancy him if he was 20/1, so his odds seem so far from a value point of view. I don’t think he’s good enough, even if you take away that showing last time out.
Topgear
Firmly on the up and completed a hat trick of wins with a Group 3 win four weeks ago. However, he would ideally prefer a bit of juice in the ground and he was well beaten on his only pair of previous starts at this level. He’s in the form of life, but the ground is a concern and he might just end up being a Group 2 horse at best. I’m not convinced he’s a genuine top-level performer despite his recent record.
Flora Of Bermuda
Group 3 winner at York last year and finished a very good third to Kind Of Blue in the Champions Sprint over C&D on her final start last season. She made Inisherin work very hard on her return last time out when a neck-second and she is sure to strip fitter.
If you fancy Kevin Ryan’s charge then this filly must also enter the reckoning, as she’s available at much bigger odds. Open to further improvement, I have seen worse outsiders for a Group 1 sprint event.
Great Generation
Returned as a comfortable winner of a Group 3 event at Doncaster last time out and the runner-up has won since to advertise the form. She did, however, run poorly when last seen at this level, so even though she comes into the race in good form, a few others make greater appeal.
Nighteyes
Finished a good third in a Listed race last time out but does look out of her depth at this level.
Jubilee Stakes Tips
This looks like an open renewal and I really like the claims of a couple that make very nice betting appeals with the extra places available.
The first one is JAMES’S DELIGHT (best price 28/1), the mount of Colin Keane. He only scrambled home at the Curragh last time out but he’s a largely consistent sprinter and this race could just set up perfectly for him.
According to my database, he recorded the highest rating of these (except the Japanese runner) last time out and if he can back that up here then there’s no reason why he cannot get himself into the picture.
FLORA OF BERMUDA (best price 10/1) made Inisherin pull out the stops last time out, yet she’s available at much bigger odds, and could hardly be in better form.
She came close to winning the Champions Sprint over C&D last season and ran well to finish fourth in the Sprint Cup at Haydock where she would have finished even closer with a clear sight.
There’s a lot to like about her profile and I feel as though she has outstanding claims in an open edition. Most firms are offering four places, which I see as a steal for her.
