Proclamation holds strong claims in the Queen Anne

Dubai: Proclamation goes to Royal Ascot today with a genuine chance of becoming the seventh Godolphin-trained winner of the Group One Queen Anne Stakes, the showcase race of the opening day of this year's Royal meeting.

Godolphin horses have dominated this prestigious 1,600-metre contest, which by tradition attracts the leading older milers from across Europe, winning six of the last ten runnings.

Refuse To Bend was the Dubai-owned stable's most recent winner of the Queen Anne, having triumphed in glorious fashion two years ago, by staving off the quadruple Group 1 winner Soviet Song by a neck in an exhilarating five-horse finish.

A stylish winner of the Sussex Stakes last year, when trained by Jeremy Noseda, Proclamation makes both his seasonal and first appearance for Godolphin today when he takes on seven rivals.

Among them are Ireland's Ad Valorem, third in the Sussex, last month's Juddmonte Stakes winner Peeress, recent Epsom third Home Affairs and Court Masterpiece, a Group 1 winner at Longchamp, Paris, last season.

Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Surour was yesterday sending out mixed signals when weighing up Proclamation's chances.

"I am pleased with him and he is working nicely," he said.

"We have given him time and he is healthy and sound. But it is going to be a very tough race on his seasonal debut."

Surour, however, added he was confident Proclamation has the class to 'run well, hopefully.'

For good measure, Proclamation will have the assistance of a pacemaker in Belenus who has been entrusted with the role of setting a strong pace for his stable-companion.

Interestingly, Belenus, a lightly-raced son of the great Dubai Millennium, won on his debut in 2004 and has been placed in his three other races, all in Listed company last year.

Godolphin's wins in the Queen Anne Stakes, have come courtesy Refuse To Bend (2004), Dubai Destination (2003), Cape Cross (1999), Intikhab (1998), Allied Forces ('97) and Charnwood Forest ('96).

Meanwhile, Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Araafa looks the one to beat in the St James's Palace Stakes, the second Group 1 race, in today's six-event card.