Henry to clash with Tamayuz in QEII at Ascot

Two stables that have dominated Europe's Group 1 races this season look set to clash in the the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, with Aidan O'Brien and Freddie Head confirming that top-flight milers Henrythenavigator and Tamayuz will lock horns in the Ascot race on Saturday.

Although the majority of bookmakers were opposing Henrythenavigator with French star Tamayuz (only Ladbrokes went 13-8 the pair), the fourtime Group 1 winner was the subject of an encouraging report from O'Brien for his bid to get back on the winning trail.

Winner of the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh, and of the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, Henrythenavigator's run of Group 1 victories came to a halt at Longchamp this month when he could finish only fifth behind Tamayuz's stablemate, Goldikova, in the Prix du Moulin.

Soft ground was put forward as the main reason for Henrythenavigator's defeat and on Monday O'Brien said: "Henry is in good form and we've been happy with him since he came back from Longchamp. We're hoping to have the nice type of ground he likes on Saturday. He just wasn't able to perform to his best on the soft ground in the Moulin."

Henrythenavigator heads a list of five O'Brien-trained acceptors, with Astronomer Royal, US Ranger, Honoured Guest and Minneapolis other options for Ballydoyle.

"It's possible that we might run a few others in the race but we won't be finalising plans for another couple of days," O'Brien added.

As expected, connections stumped up #20,000 to supplement Racinger for the Sony-sponsored contest and he is expected to act as pacemaker for Tamayuz.

Like O'Brien, Head is hoping the weather forecast proves correct.

"Tamayuz is in very good form and I have been very happy with him since he won at Deauville lasttime," Head said.

"I just hope it is fast ground or good ground,that will be fine for him.

"We have supplemented Racinger and he will try to make the pace for us. I'm looking forward to the race and looking forward to taking on Henrythenavigator.