Estimate to give Her Majesty Ascot win in the Long Distance Cup

Her Majesty the Queen sends her premier equine charge over the two-mile Ascot course in a bid to become the first reigning monarch to win two showpiece events in the same season.

This race will be the third time the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old filly has raced over the course and distance this season. She has been victorious on both previous visits to the Berkshire track.

In both those triumphs, this game animal had stylish pilot Ryan Moore aboard and the partnership is renewed for this outing also. Should the pair click again as expected then it will take a horse of monumental class to overhaul the 2/1 favourite.

Having showed her versatility with regards to ground, the likely good to soft going should present no realistic problems for the Aga Khan bred bay filly.

Sir Michael Stoute, who is undoubtedly one of the UK’s all time premier Flat racing trainers, will also have left no stone unturned in terms of preparation. Indeed the 67-year-old handler boasts some previous success in the this race, with eight-year-old 20/1-shot Cover Up holding off the challenge of Tungsten Strike land the prize in 2005.

Estimate’s nearest challengers look to be Harris Tweed, who appears rejuvenated having won each of his last two outings. Plus the Saeed bin Suroor trained Ahzeemah  who has an impressively consistent record – finishing outside the top two in just 3 of his 15 career outings.

With £200,000 on offer to the winner, the British Champions Long Distance Cup is the second most valuable all-age long distance flat horse race in the calendar.

Her Majesty could well be smiling come Saturday’s conclusion.

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