Royal Ascot: French raider has right credentials for Queen's Vase

One of the interesting features about the field for the Queen's Vase, run on the Wednesday of Royal Ascot over 14 furlongs, is the extraordinary number of horses for whom this is just one of multiple (two or more) engagements at the Royal meeting, or indeed elsewhere. Remarkably, this is true of every single horse trading at a shorter price than Francis-Henri Graffard's Asmarani, who sits at 9th in the betting in a prospective field (after 5-day declarations) of 20 horses. Given this backdrop and the nigh certainty that many of those ahead of him in the betting will not run, we are strongly drawn to this French raider. The case for him is pretty straightforward:

• He has useful form over in France, but is unexposed after just three runs.

  
  

• After winning his second start over 12 furlongs, he was second in Group 3 last time out when dropped to 11 furlongs. The step back up in trip is expected to suit on pedigree.

  
  

• The horse who beat him last time out, Rafale Design, franked the form today (Sunday) by winning another Group 3 at Chantilly impressively.
  

• He has just the one Ascot entry and is an intended runner, per connections. Only four (!) runners in this nominal field of 20 have just the one entry.

We envisage this race cutting up hugely, and are therefore strongly in favour of an each-way play.

Recommendation: Back Asmarani each-way @14/1 with Paddy Power to win the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot on Wednesday 18 June.