Head hoping for rain ahead of QEII Freddy Head is hoping for some wet weather ahead of Solow's run in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday week. The five-year-old is unbeaten in his last eight starts and has already made two successful cross-Channel forays this term, winning the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Both of those victories came on good ground and Head is eager for some rain to keep conditions in his favour. He said: "We are very happy with the horse. He is working well and I find him in the best form. "He knows the course and we are hoping we get a little rain." Solow has not run since that Goodwood triumph at the end of July but Head reports him to have sparkled in a recent racecourse spin. He said: "I took him to a racecourse last Monday at Maisons-Laffitte and he worked over a mile. "That was his first bit of good work since Goodwood and it went well." Solow kicked off his run of four straight Group One wins in the Dubai Turf at Meydan back in March and a return trip could be in the offing, although the grey gelding will not be tackling the Breeders' Cup meeting later this month at Keeneland. Head explained: "It (Ascot) will be his last start for the year. After the race he will go to the Wertheimers' stud for a few weeks before we think about Dubai again. "I do not think (Keeneland) will suit him but next year (at Santa Anita), we will think about it. "He's versatile, a beautiful mover and is very easy to train. "He's a real champion - he has everything."
