Battle of the sexes is expected to light up Ascot opener

This renewal of the Queen Anne Stakes – the opening race of the Royal Ascot meeting and won a year ago by the French raider – has the potential to be a one-mile classic as Goldikova attempts to concede two years in age to England’s young pretender.

Thirteen-time Group One winner Goldikova recorded a narrow triumph over Paco Boy 12 months ago, a former stablemate of Richard Hannon’s Canford Cliffs, and trainer Freddie Head is confident that the six-year-old remains at the peak of her powers.

“I think she is just as well as she was this time last year and, obviously, she is going to have to be at her very best to win again,” said Head.

“Having said that, Canford Cliffs is going to have to be at his very best to beat us. It is a clash of course, but it is difficult to say whether this is Goldikova’s hardest ever task. We will find out.

“The only worry would be the ground. I hope it does not become too soft.”

Jockey Olivier Peslier acknowledges the mare has a tough task ahead but he remains hopeful she will once again prove up to the task.

“My filly is well and she worked very well last week,” he said. “She knows the track. Last year it was a hard race, but I hope my filly will be ready for the fight.”

Hannon is full of respect for his opponent but is confident last month’s Lockinge winner can emerge triumphant – but refused to yield any ground in the pre-race exchanges.

“Canford Cliffs has looked better than ever this season and has improved since the Lockinge,” said the trainer. “He was entitled to be a bit rusty at Newbury as he had been off since Glorious Goodwood last year.

“While he can sometimes be a bit switched off in the mornings, Hughesie (Richard Hughes) woke him up on the gallops last week and they then went to Kempton, where he looked really sharp.

“We are under no illusions how tough it will be to beat Goldikova, who is a 13-time Grade/Group One winner, but the French mare cannot possibly be getting any better at the age of six.

“We will sit a bit closer to the pace and hope to do her for finishing speed.”

Elsewhere on the card, Star Witness bids to continue the fine record of Australian sprinters at the venue when he struts his stuff in the King’s Stand Stakes.

Choisir (2003), Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast (2009) have all won the five-furlong dash and Star Witness’s trainer Danny O’Brien has had this target in mind for some time.

“Coming to Ascot has been at the back of my mind ever since he won his second start and we’ve been pretty conservative with him this season as a result,” he said.

However, the rain softened conditions threaten the participation of Irish hope Sole Power, the winner of last year’s Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Trainer Edward Lynam has warned his horse will not run if there is ‘soft’ in the going description.