Toronado & Verrazano to clash in Queen Anne Toronado leads the way for Richard Hannon in the opening race of Royal Ascot on Tuesday as one of 10 horses declared for the Queen Anne Stakes. Hannon expectedly withdrew several of the other prominent members of his stable, Olympic Glory and Sky Lantern, but still saddles two runners as he also has Producer. Toronado, the mount of Richard Hughes, lost a thrilling battle with Dawn Approach in last year's St James's Palace Stakes on the card before taking revenge in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, but was disappointing in his final outing in the Juddmonte International over 10 furlongs. His main rival will be the Aidan O'Brien-trained Verrazano, who showed promise on his European debut when third in the Lockinge at Newbury, and his trainer has not declared Magician, who is likely to wait for the Prince Of Wales's Stakes later in the week. Lockinge runner-up Tullius is also in the field, along with Freddy Head's French raider Anodin, who was supplemented, and smart South African runner Soft Falling Rain. Ansgar, Glory Awaits, Mull Of Killough and Side Glance complete the line-up. Toronado is odds-on with Coral to start his season with a win. "Although we've not seen Toronado in action since his flop in the Juddmonte International last summer, connections could hardly be more bullish about their charge, suggesting he will take all the beating on his reappearance," said Coral's David Stevens. Queen Anne Stakes - Coral bet: 4-5 Toronado, 7-2 Verrazano, 6-1 Soft Falling Rain, 10-1 Tullius, Anodin, 25-1 Mull Of Killough, 33-1 Side Glance, 50-1 Producer, 66-1 Glory Awaits, 150-1 Ansgar.
