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Preview of Royal Ascot's most lucrative race on Tuesday, the Queen Anne Stakes

William Buick riding Ribchester win the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury
Image: William Buick and Ribchester were easy winners of the Lockinge Stakes

Royal Ascot gets underway on Tuesday with three Group 1 races, with the first and most lucrative of them the Queen Anne Stakes.

The mile contest was won last year by the American challenger Tepin, and there are more runners from across the Atlantic hoping to take the trophy back for a second successive year.

Read on for our guide to the 16 runners going to post for the opening race of five days spectacular action at the Berkshire venue.

AMERICAN PATRIOT
Trainer: Todd Pletcher (USA). Jockey: John Velazquez
Form: 349-11

One of two American challengers in the first race of the week and both would appear to have credible chances. Grade 1 winner last time, for whom rattling fast ground will be a big bonus and an eye-catching jockey booking makes him a decent each-way hope. Rating: 10/10

COUGAR MOUNTAIN
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien (Ire). Jockey: Donnacha O'Brien
Form: 0-2863

Seventh in this race last year on soft ground that wouldn't have suited, but looks more of a Group 2 or 3 performer these days and likely odds reflect his chance. Rating: 3/10

Also See:

Deauville and Ryan Moore fend off Poet's Word
Image: Deauville (R) could relish the quick ground, but will the mile suit?

DEAUVILLE
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien (Ire). Jockey: Ryan Moore
Form: 3-7213

Went over to the USA last summer to win the Belmont Derby and has run consistently since, but this drop in trip (first run over a mile since October 2015) might not be ideal unless he is able to dominate from the front. Rating: 4/10

DUTCH CONNECTION
Trainer: Charles Hills. Jockey: James Doyle
Form: 21560-

Mutakayyef wins the Summer Mile at Ascot ahead of Dutch Connection
Image: Mutakayyef wins the Summer Mile at Ascot last summer ahead of Dutch Connection

Has run well fresh in the past, and quick ground suits, but it's a big ask to come into a Group 1 after seven months off and he is held by Mutakkayef on Ascot running from last summer. Rating: 4/10

DUTCH UNCLE
Trainer: Robert Cowell. Jockey: Martin Harley
Form: 261256

Bought for 36,000 guineas after finishing sixth in an Epsom handicap in April and supplemented for this race by his new connections, probably as a pacemaker for Lightning Spear. Rating: 1/10

ENNAADD
Trainer: Roger Varian. Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Form: 111-42

Easy winner of a Kempton listed prize late last year, but most of his form has come on the all-weather and the form of his Ascot defeat last time out means plenty of improvement is needed. Rating: 3/10

Absolutely So (left) wins the Betway John Of Gaunt Stakes from Jallota
Image: Jallota (R) is a consistent force in high-grade handicaps

JALLOTA
Trainer: Charles Hills. Jockey: Silvestre de Sousa
Form: 132-32

Very consistent but often comes up just short of winning, having been placed in Group 1, 2 and 3 company over the last 12 months. Fast ground would be something of a concern though. Rating: 5/10

KASPERSKY
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam. Jockey: Michelle Payne
Form: 137-52

Regular winner in Italy over the last three years but his two runs in this country have been below the standard needed for this tough a contest. This will also be a first Royal Ascot ride for his Melbourne Cup-winning rider. Rating: 2/10

KOOL KOMPANY
Trainer: Richard Hannon. Jockey: Pat Smullen
Form: 42-184

Back from spell racing in Australia and won a Doncaster listed race on his first race this season, but has been beaten in better grade twice since, albeit very unlucky trying to come from the back at Epsom on Derby Day. Rating: 6/10

Lightning Spear ridden by Oisin Murphy wins The Doom Bar Celebration Mile Race run at Goodwood Racecourse. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday
Image: Lightning Spear bids to overturn Newbury form with Ribchester

LIGHTNING SPEAR
Trainer: David Simcock. Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Form: 6913-2

Beaten by Ribchester on his seasonal bow in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month, but stayed but did stay on pleasingly and fancied to get closer this time, if not turn the form around, on ground that should suit. Rating: 9/10

MUTAKAYYEF
Trainer: William Haggas. Jockey: Jim Crowley
Form: 1133-5

Ran well in the Juddmonte on his last British start in August, and again in the Woodbine Mile, but his Meydan reappearance wasn't his best (behind Ribchester) and he is another one who might be suited by a couple of extra furlongs. Rating: 6/10

Daniel Tudhope riding Bravery (R, blue) wins the Betway Lincoln
Image: Oh This Is Us (C) has stepped up from handicap company this season

OH THIS IS US
Trainer: Richard Hannon. Jockey: Pat Dobbs
Form: 521213

Improved in handicaps at the start of this season, and narrowly missed out on landing a massive gamble in the Lincoln, but this is a big step up in class and he looks likely to be found out. Rating: 4/10

William Buick on board Ribchester races clear to win the Jersey Stakes during Day Two of Royal Ascot 2016 at Ascot Racecou
Image: William Buick and Ribchester were winners of the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer

RIBCHESTER
Trainer: Richard Fahey. Jockey: William Buick
Form: 312-31

Stamped himself as the country's leading older miler when romping away with the Lockinge in impressive fashion, but conditions will be very different at Royal Ascot and this is not the penalty kick the market might suggest. Rating: 9/10

TOSCANINI
Trainer: Richard Fahey. Jockey: Paul Hanagan
Form: 10-458

Was meant to be Ribchester's pacemaker in the Lockinge but missed the break and finished last. Could be set for the same role here, and would be no shock to see him finish in the same position. Rating: 1/10

MISS TEMPLE CITY
Trainer: Graham Motion (USA). Jockey: Edgar Prado
Form: 45151-

Third time lucky for the second American runner? She's run well in the Coronation Stakes and Duke of Cambridge Stakes the last two years, and getting back on fast ground will suit. She will out run her likely odds and definitely one to keep an eye on. Rating: 8/10

SPECTRE
Trainer: Markus Munch (Fra). Jockey: Stephane Pasquier
Form: 420-94

Trained in France by a former Bayern Munich defender and having her first run in Britain. Fourth behind Ribchester in the Prix Jacques le Marois last summer but has not gone forward in her two runs this season. Rating 3/10

VERDICT:

If there was any cut in the ground, Ribchester would be even shorter than he is at the moment, but the question mark over very quick going means looking elsewhere for a little bit of value. That might just come from the two American runners in this race, and outsider AMERICAN PATRIOT could be the one to benefit most from coming off the likely strong pace. Miss Temple City should also run well in a race won by American superstar Tepin 12 months ago. Lightning Spear is a rock-solid hope for the home team and might be the biggest danger.

1 AMERICAN PATRIOT; 2 Lightning Spear; 3 Ribchester; 4 Miss Temple City

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