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Racing News |
Rip Van Winkle Evens Favourite for QE II
21/09/09
William Hill have installed the Aidan O’Brien trained Rip Van Winkle as their Even money favourite for this Saturday’s Sony Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.
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The Sussex Stakes winner is one of five horses from Ballydoyle who have stood their ground at the five day declaration stage for the Group 1 contest. The other four are Mastercraftsman (Very doubtful), Poet, Set Sail and Windsor Palace.
Godolphin sole representative in the race is the recent Celebration Mile winner Delegator, and the son of Dansili is rated a 9-4 chance to record his first win in Group 1 company this Saturday.
Other notable acceptors include the Prix Du Moulin winner Aqlaam, the Dermot Weld trained Famous Name, and the Sir Michael Stoute trained Zacinto.
The John Gosden trained Virtual and the 1000 Guineas heroine Ghanaati (Doubtful) complete the QE II line-up.
William Hill spokesman Tony Kenny said “It’s great for racing to see the two superpowers going head to head on the racecourse again. It’s been a long time since Godolphin have had a horse of Delegator’s quality and it’ll be fascinating to see how he gets on against Ballydoyle’s number one” He continued “Rip Van Winkle’s win in the Sussex Stakes entitles him to be favourite for the race, but you certainly couldn’t rule out the chances of Delegator following up his win in the Celebration Mile”
Sony Queen Elizabeth II Stakes: (William Hill Bet):
Evens Rip Van Winkle, 9-4 Delegator, 4-1 Aqlaam, 10-1 Zacinto, 14-1 Famous Name, 25-1 Virtual, 33-1 Poet, 150-1 Windsor Palace, 200-1 Set Sail – 1/5 1-2-3
