Dawn Approach is included amongst 12 declarations for Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on QIPCO Champions Day.
Jim Bolger’s charge struggled on his last outing in the Jacques le Marois in France, but it was later confirmed he was hampered by illness that day and is said to be in fine shape ahead of the Ascot run.
Dawn Approach, who won the 2000 Guineas before missing out in The Derby, also claimed the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot but was then edged out by Toronado in the Sussex Stakes in what has been a spectacular year for the horse.
Toronado does not travel to Ascot due to the soft ground but the likes of Maxios, Olympic Glory and Soft Falling Rain are all named for the one-mile race.
Richard Hannon’s Olympic Glory was beaten by Maxios last time out in the Moulin and are both expected to be contenders this weekend.
Last year’s Racing Post Trophy winner, Kingsbarns, runs for Aidan O’Brien despite being restricted to just one outing this term, while Group One winner Elusive Kate is also tipped to compete on the day.
Also included is Brian Ellison’s Top Notch Tonto and Tom Hogan’s Gordon Lord Byron, while Caspar Netscher, Gregorian, Leitir Mor and Burwaaz complete the field.
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