Ascot's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes: Focus on these versatile G1 winners

The ground on British racetracks is finally a-changing after an extraordinary summer in which multiple heatwaves have resulted in records being broken.

Sandown, Goodwood and Windsor all had to record going changes during racing today, and the likelihood of fast ground at Haydock next week is looking vanishingly small.

We have no idea what the ground at Ascot will be in seven weeks' time, but summer ground is heavily odds against, so a bit of ground versatility in an antepost bet for the corresponding markets can be no bad thing.

In the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over Ascot's straight mile, we like two Group 1 winners who can demonstrate just that:

Zavateri 12/1

This colt had a frustrating start to the season. Last year's G1-winning 2yo (had unbeaten streak of four before failing to handle Newmarket's undulations in the Dewhurst) had a promising return in the Greenham Stakes, but then suffered a setback. He's taken a bit of time to find his best form, but really put on a show today in Goodwood's G2 Celebration Mile.

We like how this 3yo is only now coming into his best form; we like how few runs he has under his belt this season compared to some of the opposition; and we like the fact that his five wins have come on a broad spectrum of ground conditions (G/F, G/F, G, Y, and now S). We think he can now pack a big punch at the highest level. Oh, and did we mention he has beaten QEII favourite Gstaad before?

Ten Bob Tony (16/1)

We wonder why Bet365 has taken its eye off this hugely improved performer (many bookmakers quote him at half the price). Straight mile at Ascot? Group 1 winner of the Queen Anne Stakes at the Royal Meeting only two months ago. Yes, he was 50/1, but we've watched that race back multiple times and can't see how it can be described as a fluke.

Like Zavateri, Ten Bob Tony is ground-versatile (was thought to dislike fast ground until the Queen Anne), and had previously run out a good winner on bad ground at Epsom (from Witness Stand, who then almost won the Lennox at Goodwood). As for his two "4ths" since, we thought he ran well at Goodwood to finish fourth behind Bow Echo (keen, hampered at one point), and he was one of the real eyecatchers when dropped back to 7 furlongs for the G1 City of York: having lacked racing room at a key point, he still had ten horses in front of him with half a furlong to go but absolutely flew home. Back at Ascot over the straight mile, he's a genuine player.

In summary, we think both of these G1 winners are likely to run big races at Ascot whatever the conditions. And they both look "nailed on" to actually turn up (subject to the usual force majeure/injury caveats), which cannot be said about a fair few horses above and around them in the betting.

And that's quite aside from the fact that Ascot's end-of-season mile showpiece has already lost its star act (Bow Echo) and will also be bypassed by the two crack Godolphin milers (Notable Speech, Opera Ballo). Throw in the fact that favourite Gstaad is on an extended break after a nasty gash and you surely have a market ripe for playing.

Recommendation: Back the following horses antepost each-way for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Saturday 17 October:

Zavateri @12/1 with William Hill, Ladbrokes or Coral. The general 10/1 is OK.

Ten Bob Tony @16/1 with Bet365. The 12/1 with Coral is tolerable.