Queen Anne Stakes - 17th June.

I've taken the view that Toronado is going to be incredibly difficult to beat. Obviously the York run needs forgiving but if you take the chance he's back to his best he should stamp his authority over these no problem. I can honestly see him going off 5/4 on the day. I'm not given to hyperbole but in fairness to the Hannon's, when they say they've got a good one they usually do and Senior described this as "the best I've trained" last season. Given Canford Cliffs was able to tonk Goldikova, if you take his words literally, and I don't necessarily, Toronado is past the post against this lot. I think DA and T were just two very good milers last season, and I see nothing of their class amongst the older horses.

I am factoring in Olympic Glory not running (entered up this weekend and quiet whispers suggesting he may, only may, be tried in the POW) but if he does I still think Toronado is the better horse. I think Verrazano is a victim of recency bias, DOW showed much improved form in the QA last year so Verrazano must do the same - disagree completely.

Magician presumably goes POW after Tattersalls Gold Cup this weekend, Gold Fun not entered. Sky Lantern heads to the Duke of Cambridge. Soft Falling Rain not good enough.

This is a bit of a cop out to sum up, but if he's back to last season's form he'll take this comfortably. Just a niggling doubt about forgiving the York run and we haven't heard much from Hannon - although T was spotted in a gallops video for QIPCO at end of April. He also was mentioned on the stable blog after the Lockinge.

I think he offers massive antepost value at 7/2 and have bet accordingly.

yep, he spiked a temperature on the way over here according to trainer and missed a weeks training. A small setback you would say but they cannot afford any more.

Does anyone know the record of seasonal debutants in the Queen Anne? Canford Cliffs had a prep for the yard but I suppose the circumstances this time around are different given they have OG so have obviously mapped out the race for Toronado.

I agree looking at the list of names it does not look a stellar renewal. Good point about Verrazano and the case for recency bias, i.e comparisons with Declaration of War. However, DOW at least had winning Turf form and the Lockinge did not look a particularly strong race this year. Verrazano is certain to improve but he has never won a race on Turf before, so it would be a pretty unorthodox way of going about things for a Queen Anne winner!! At least Animal Kingdom had achieved that when he tried, being a form U.S dirt winner.

7/1 about Verrazano has gone now fwiw. Tops 6/1.

11 times the Queen Anne has been run as a Gr1.

Of the 11 winners 7 had their prep in the Lockinge. Surprisingly only 2 (Canford cliffs & Frankel) won at Newbury.
2 winners came from the Prix d'Ispahan.

O'Brien has won it 3 times. Two of his winners were beat first time up in the Lockinge (Haradasun & Declaration Of War).

Hannon snr has won it twice (Paco Boy & Canford Cliffs). Both horse had their seasonal debut in the Lockinge.

Some price changes after Lockinge.

Toronado is a top price 5/2, Verrazano 9/2, OG now 8/1.

Looking a weakish renewal this year.

TORONADO is a phenomenal horse when you catch him right. The problem is he has twice ran as if there were breathing problems- once in the 2000 Guineas, and once at York in the Juddmonte.

5/2 is short, although he can go well fresh, but you have to consider how much VERRAZANO is expected to step forward.


I actually think Toronado will be prepared for Breeders Cup mile this season and is tailor made for fast American turf.

I think if they could actually keep Toronado fit and well and without any issues mid race, he would be close to unbeatable. I think he would stay 10f as well.

He is one to consider in-running- you usually know if he is okay after 2 furlongs- if he looks keen then lay him, if he looks like he has been put to sleep and breezing along, he is in good order.

Is Toronado even alive? Have heard nothing at all from Hannon's and there seems to be an omerta around the horse. Seen Hannon junior on the TV a few times and none of the interviewers have asked about the horse, almost as if they've been told not to. Similarly no mention in Hughes column in the RP

Hannon Jnr just been interviewed at Windsor, and issued a very positive bulletin about Toronado. Worked well at Newbury yesterday and everything gone to plan. Olympic Glory has been left in as back up but assuming Toronado runs, he looks more likely to go for Prix Jacques le Marois.

I thought it was a while off when he said it... Maybe he got confused about which race they will save him for?

Surely it was always unlikely they would run the two against each other though Harry?

They will want each horse to win a Group 1 this season before they have to face each other, most likely in the QEII.

Toronado keeps being cut. 2/1 is best price now, only available with Lads. All others 7/4 or shorter!

agree. thought looked a two horse race, so have taken the 7/2 on toronado and hopefully will be good enough to beat verrazano on the day. gl all

Always thought Haradasun was incredibly lucky to win that Queen Anne - from memory didn't the pacemaker move off the rails and he squeezed through to win narrowly? Retired in immediate aftermath which suggests Coolmore thought he was lucky to nick a Group 1 and didn't want him exposed in further races.

1 week to go. Toronado now 7/4 tops.

Fcuk me that 7/2 was a good price. I didn't take it but more than happy if he wins for TTF purposes.

I'm happy to stick with my Verazzano bet but I may have a saver on Toronado. I have never really been a fan of Toronado, I don't know why but I always persuade myself not to back him. Although, this is a particularly weak Queen Anne for me and if Verazzano doesn't take a step forward like I hope then it should be a penalty kick for Toronado.

You can argue Toronado was unlucky not to be awarded the SJP last year. There was only a short head between them at the line and Toro did take a bump. As a 2yo he never struck me as a potential outstanding horse, but his Craven win last year on  seasonal debut he looked very good. He had that wow factor. If he runs like that I can't see him beaten.

Verrazano has a reputation for downing tools in the U.S. Maybe AOB can coax more out of him but I couldn't back him at the price. To win the Queen Anne on his second ever start on Turf just seems pie in the sky to me.

All the others look Group 2, Group 3 horses.

No bets in the race for me though, just hope Toro wins for TTF purposes.

I've thrown a few quid on Anodin @ 16/1 and Side Glance @ 40/1 e/w for the sake of having a bet.

This is a horrible race and highlights at every turn how poor the last reason milers are. Really speaking Toronado should win easily but only because the opposition is really poor. Everywhere you look you find horses well beaten at lower levels and this is a Group 1 race. I never rated Dawn Approach even though I backed him for last seasons Guineas. He was a good solid horse and the best of a poor bunch.
What will win it? Toronado. He will never get a better opportunity in his life to win a soft Group 1 and if he loses then you can forget him because he obviously has issues. I think it's worth paying to find out.

Not really Figgis only the Group 1 races. That is there point I believe. The best take on the best. Toronado may be the best of his generation but I doubt it and none of the others are. You think Toronado benefited from a below pat Dawn Approach so that makes it an even worse race.

Treve's race and Kingman's race look proper Group 1 races  so if you think the Queen, POW and St James Palace are similar in quality then I would have to disagree.