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ROYAL ASCOT: Here Comes Gladiatorus!

3 minute read

Sensational Dubai winner Gladiatorus is set to make his British debut for the Godolphin stable in Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Saeed bin Suroor

Winner of the Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba when trained by Mubarak bin Shafya, the four-year-old will aim to get the meeting off to a flying start for Godolphin in the opening race of the five-day fixture.

"Gladiatorus worked very nicely and everything is in place for him to run in the Queen Anne," said new handler Saeed bin Suroor.

"It will be his first race in England but I'm sure that won't be a problem to him.

"I'm sure this horse is top class, of course he is the highest-rated horse in the world at the moment.

"Like most of ours though, I'm sure he will improve a little bit for this run.

"It really was a great performance in the Duty Free and we are looking forward to seeing him run."

Godolphin have won the Queen Anne seven times since 1996, most recently with Ramonti two years ago, and they could have a second string to their bow in the shape of Lockinge runner-up Alexandros.

"We have still to decide where Alexandros goes. He is also in the Queen Anne but the Prince Of Wales's also. We need to see who else runs where," added bin Suroor.

Sir Michael Stoute's Main Aim has been supplemented for the Queen Anne Stakes.

Connections also have the option of running in the Golden Jubilee Stakes but have decided to add him to the Group One mile following his two length success in a Group 3 at Haydock.

Mac Love, winner of the Diomed Stakes at Epsom last Friday, has also been added to the field by trainer Stef Liddiard.

Four-times course winner Cesare, trained by James Fanshawe, could bid to improve on his fourth place behind Haradasun in the Queen Anne 12 months ago.

His owners Cheveley Park Stud may also be represented by Lockinge Stakes winner Virtual from John Gosden's yard.

Richard Hannon's Paco Boy, fourth when favourite for the Lockinge, is also among the 10 acceptors at the confirmation stage.

The others are William Haggas's Aqlaam, Jeremy Noseda's Arabian Gleam and Dream Eater, trained by Andrew Balding.