THE QUEEN ALEXANDRA

This race represents a different test for THOMAS HOBSON, but he displayed a scintillating turn of foot to rout a competitive field of handicappers on the first day of the meeting and a reproduction of that change of gear would make him difficult to resist here. Admittedly, the seven-year-old takes on a much better class of rival, while Martin harley also replaces ryan Moore in the saddle with the latter claimed for Us Army ranger. however, trainer Willie Mullins (below) saddled simenon to complete the ‘marathon double’ at the royal meeting in 2012 and Thomas hobson is fancied to follow that fine stayer and Pique sous who landed this event in 2014 for his yard. Us Army ranger, second in last year’s epsom Derby, is an intriguing runner stepping up markedly in trip, but the bigger danger could hail from Godolphin’s Qewy and Winning story. Qewy, 2nd in the staying handicap here last year, made giant strides in Australia last winter and has clearly been saved for this. Winning story ran really well behind Us Army ranger in the chester event won by Western hymm despite the trip being on the short side. SELECTION: Thomas Hobson DANGER: Qewy