Paco faces nine in Queen Anne

Paco Boy will face nine rivals in his bid to record back-to-back victories in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

Richard Hannon's crack performer has been in top form this season winning the bet365 Mile at Sandown and Newbury's Lockinge Stakes.

He does, however, face his toughest test with opposition headed by the star French mare Goldikova.

Freddie Head's pride and joy has eight victories at the highest level to her credit, including the Breeders' Cup Mile in 2008 and 2009.

She warmed up for her first visit to the Berkshire track by taking the Prix d'Ispahan on her reappearance.

There is a second French challenger in the shape of recent Longchamp winner Dalghar, trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre and owned by the Aga Khan.

Rip Van Winkle flopped in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita over 10 furlongs but is a top miler as he showed when beating Zacinto in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on this course in September and he did beat Paco Boy in the Sussex Stakes.

Zacinto, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, tries again while the field is completed by Calming Influence, Cat Junior, Dream Eater, Ouqba and Pipedreamer.

The only two withdrawals at the final declaration stage were Alexandros and Arabian Gleam.

Jockey Olivier Peslier is looking forward to riding Goldikova, but is only concern is just before the start where she can be a bit tricky.

"Obviously she has won eight Group Ones and Paco Boy is a very strong horse, but mine broke the record last time for a mile and a furlong," Peslier told At The Races.

"It depends how she starts how I will ride her in the race. It also depends on the pace if I ride her near the front or at the back.

"Just before the start, she's not easy to go in the gate. That's the only point that is tricky with her."

Paco Boy confirmed his well-being when put through his paces on Sunday morning. "Paco Boy worked well with Lucky General this morning and is in great shape for his clash with Goldikova and Rip Van Winkle in the Queen Anne Stakes, which should be a humdinger of an opener to the meeting," the trainer told his official website, www.richardhannonracing.tv.