Saeed bin Suroor looks for eighth Queen Anne

Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor will be bidding to win the G1 Queen Anne Stakes for an impressive eighth time when he saddles talented Benbatl in Tuesday’s renewal.

Royal Ascot is unique in European racing in having a race of the status of the Queen Anne as the first race on the first day of the meeting.

When Frankel blitzed his rivals for an 11-length win in the Queen Anne in 2012, it was the highlight of the week — the climax in the opening race — but the racing purists love it and would not have it in any other order.

Benbatl, who finished fifth in Epsom’s G1 Investec Derby, went on to win the G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot last year.

The son of Dubawi then came to Dubai in the winter and won three of his four races, with the campaign culminating in a triumph in the G1 Dubai Turf, in which he beat Vivios and Real Steel.

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Benbatl beat some very good horses in the Dubai Turf. We gave him a break after that, but he is back now and ready to go again.

“This will be another very tough race for him, as he is taking on some top milers. But he has been working well and I have been happy with his preparation.

“Dropping back to a mile (from nine furlongs) will be fine, especially the stiff mile at Ascot, and we are looking for another good result,” he added.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Rhododendron comes to the G1 race off the back of a narrow victory in the G1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, with runner-up Lightning Spear ready to re-oppose.

Yoshida, a G1 winner on turf at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day, is an interesting American runner for Bill Mott.