Big Guns Stand Ground For QEII

Last year´s winner Rakti is among 10 horses left in at the confirmation stage for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

The five-times Group One winner, trained by Michael Jarvis, could face strong opposition, headed the Irish 2000 Guineas winner Dubawi.

The Godolphin colt landed a famous victory on his latest start when defeating Whipper and Valixir in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.

Godolphin are currently four-handed as they have also accepted with Layman and Council Member, as well as the six-year-old Blatant.

Luca Cumani is considering the Group One race, sponsored by Barclays plc, for Australian ace Starcraft, who had Whipper and Valixir in arrears when winning the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp earlier this month.

Irish trainer Aidan O´Brien can choose between 1000 Guineas winner Virginia Waters and the progressive four-year-old Mullins Bay.

A top-class entry is completed by Celebration Mile winner Chic and Sleeping Indian, successful in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last month.

QEII: Blatant, Chic, Council Member, Dubawi, Layman, Mullins Bay, Rakti, Sleeping Indian, Starcraft, Virginia Waters (10). Dubawi has been installed as 13-8 favourite by Coral to beat his elders a second time, with Rakti 2-1 and Starcraft a 5-2 chance.

'This is a top-class contest featuring arguably the three best milers in the world,' said spokesman Simon Clare.

'Both Starcraft and Dubawi were brilliant when winning their respective Group Ones in France, while the enigmatic Rakti put up a breathtaking performance in the Lockinge back in May, and it has proved extremely tricky to split them in the betting.'

(C) PA Sport