Disclaimer to deny Leading Light in Queen’s Vase

This year’s Queen’s Vase has been renamed in honour of Sir Henry Cecil following his sad passing last week. He trained a remarkable 75 winners at this meeting, more than any other trainer in history. Eight of those successes came in this race, most notably subsequent Gold Cup winner Le Moss in 1978.

There could no more appropriate winner than Lady Cecil’s Disclaimer. The son of Dansili has won his last four starts culminating in a clear-cut victory over Contributer in a two-horse race at Goodwood. On official ratings he has a bit to find with the Aidan O’Brien runner Leading Light.

The Montjeu colt was the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh last time out beating Little White Cloud by just over 2 lengths. His entries include the Irish St Leger later in the season and a bold run is clearly expected.

John Gosden saddled his first winner of the week on Thursday with the progressive Remote and has another chance here with Nichols Canyon. The colt ran around under pressure when just touched off by Prairie Ranger at Newbury last time but could relish this extended trip.

Gosden also runs Feels Like Dancing who won on his first start but has been well beaten in two subsequent starts. Hughie Morrison’s Nearly Caught is difficult to assess after one race and one victory whilst Hasheem is another who could improve for the step up in distance.

Mark Johnston has saddled the winner of this race six times in the last twelve years and is represented by Royal Skies, Mister Impatience and Federal Blue.

Royal Skies was pulled out of a shorter race yesterday to run here whilst Mister Impatience was beaten six lengths by Derby winner Ruler Of The World at Chester. Johnny Murtagh rides Federal Blue who is the least experienced of the three.

Dashing Star has each-way claims for the David Elsworth stable after a very game victory in the Edinburgh Cup last time out. He battled on bravely to beat Naru by two lengths and is fancied to confirm the form here. Ralston Road steps up in grade after winning a handicap at Chester.