1m6f (1m6f34y) Queen’s Vase (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo)
Aidan O’Brien has thrown four into the mix here and in reality any one of them could improve for the step up in distance to be good enough. Illinois is the standout pick with a second to Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly in the Chester Derby Trial representing a strong piece of form. Illinois looks likely to enjoy the step up in trip. Highbury is the second string for the yard and he won a Leopardstown maiden quite impressively last time out, and whilst he clearly improved for his first start, he was beaten very easily by BIRDMAN in a Cork maiden.
Birdman stepped up on that performance to win more comfortably than the margin might suggest against a small field in a Listed contest at Navan over 1m 5f; the same race won by Southern France on his way to going very close in this in 2018. And whilst the form-line of that race may not immediately look like the strongest in here, there is a decent line through that form with Oaks winner Ezeliya that shows it has got some substance to it. Jessica Harrington said that Birdman was still quite babyish so if he has matured between starts then I can see him improving significantly. He should also have no problem staying the trip whilst the majority of these have stamina to prove.
1pt win Birdman @11/2, 15:05 Royal Ascot, Wednesday
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