Farhh steps out of the shadows to head Queen Anne Stakes betting

Following a comfortable victory in the latest running of the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, Farhh has leapt to the head of the betting for the upcoming Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

And there are plenty of reasons to believe that the Godolphin-owned charge can secure more top level success having landed that maiden Group 1 victory.

Travelling strongly throughout in the hands of Silvestre De Sousa, Farhh eased clear from the competion to register a four length score.

It was also the first British Group 1 success for his jockey and represented a triumphant return from the ankle surgery that had perhaps cast some doubts over his mount’s Lockinge chances.

Now at 3/1 for the Queen Anne, the impressive five-year-old has surely now assauaged any previous doubts regarding both form and fitness.

Having stepped out of the shadows of retired superstar Frankel, who twice had Farhh in his rear-view mirror last year, the ante-post fancy can now build on his most recent success and confirm top billing.

However, 2011 Kentucky Derby victor and Dubai World Cup hero Animal Kingdom will pose a major threat.

An impending appearance at Royal Ascot will be his swansong before heading off for stud duties in Australia.

Trainer Graham Motion has specifically targeted the Queen Anne as opposed to the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes – a longer race that Farhh’s connections may still show preference for.

And having been moved to David Lanigan’s base in Lambourn to carry out his work, the 7/2 shot is “getting used to breezing up a gradual incline” according to Motion, in preparation for Ascot’s stiff finish.

But for now it’s Farhh’s recent heroics that have shaped the market for the Royal Ascot opener.

Bin Suroor is the Queen Anne’s leading trainer with his employers enjoying the honour of being the race’s most successful owners.

An eighth renewal win would be another remarkable fillip for Sheikh Mohammed and his yard, with a possible all-Dubai gong the sweetest carrot available following the shame brought upon them by disgraced trainer, Mahmood Al Zarooni.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publication