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Queen Anne Stakes Odds: Goldikova and Canford Cliffs could serve up a classic

Royal Ascot kicks off with a truly mouth-watering contest as wondermare Goldikova comes over from France to take on Canford Cliffs in the Queen Anne Stakes. Yet again Freddie Head's multiple Group One winner will be looking to get the better of a Richard Hannon contender after beating Paco Boy in this contest last year.

However, the Hannon team feel Canford Cliffs will be a lot tougher proposition for the six-year-old Goldikova this year and the bookmakers can hardly split the pair.

Paddy Power currently side with Canford Cliffs as he looks to enhance his reputation and the Irish firm have him at 5/4 favourite, whilst Golidkova is just behind at 6/4. A sublime season last year from Canford Cliffs culminated in victory in the Sussex Stakes beating the mighty Rip Van Winkle at Goodwood and he made a eye-catching return to the track when breezing to victory in the Lockinge. Hannon and jockey Richard Hughes have already eluded to the fact that he will improve immeasurably for that run and he is going to be very tough to beat, even for the three-times Breeders' Cup Mile winner Goldikova.

Goldikova has been simply glorious throughout her career bagging no less than thirteen Group One successes and even though she is beginning to get on at the age of six, still showed the same zest when winning the D'Ispahan Stakes at Longchamp last month. She took a while to click into to top gear but when she did Olivier Peslier merely had to cajole her along with her trademark blistering turn of foot and if she comes on for that will be an almighty opponent for Canford Cliffs.

Nevertheless, Canford Cliffs progression over the last 18 months has been simply sublime and at the age of four is still improving and with that in mind, he may be able to just edge out the mare late on.

With only seven going to post the each-way aspect has lost some appeal, but you can't discount Cape Blanco causing a possible upset with the two market leaders. A winner of the Irish Champion Stakes last season the Aidan O'Brien-trained son of Galileo ran creditably when finishing fourth in the Dubai World Cup and at 7/1 with PaddyPower.com could be many people's outside punt. A proven stayer, the four-year-old is bound to make this contest into a war of attrition and if the leading two struggle in the rain-induced ground then he could put a fly in the ointment.

Of the others, Cityscape (14/1) finished behind Dick Turpin at Sandown on his reappearance and Canford Cliffs destroyed his stablemate recently, whilst Rio De La Plata (20/1) has yet to shine in Group One class in this country.

In a purely brilliant start to Royal Ascot it may be that time where Goldikova just has to settle for the minor honours with Canford Cliffs just prevailing in a classic.

Queen Anne Stakes Latest Odds

5/4 Canford Cliffs
6/4 Goldikova
7/1 Cape Blanco
14/1 Cityscape
20/1 Rio De La Plata
33/1 Ransom Note
100/1 Flash Dance

Odds supplied by PaddyPower.com bookmakers, with best odds guaranteed on all British and Irish horse racing.

Posted: Monday, 13th June 2011
Author: Steve Chambo
Tags: royal ascot, queen anne stakes, goldikova, canford cliffs, paddypower,

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