The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes runs Saturday at Ascot in the Group One race over 1 mile. The Richard Hannon-trained horse, Canford Cliffs, leads the odds in what should be a close race. Second in the betting is 2000 Guineas winner Mafki.

Per usual, Aidan O’Brien is on everyone’s mind with his six entries, but Cape Blanco is out to rest from the Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe. But, he does have Rip Van Winkle running, who comes in third in the betting market. Rip Van Winkle will look to get back on track after losing to Cape Blanco in the Irish Champion stakes at Leopardstown in September. Before that, Rip Van Winkle won the International Stakes at York in August and came in second in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is the same distance and he has good value to finish on top this time.

Another horse to look out for is Steinbeck after two straight wins. He finished first at Killarney and then won the Group Three race at Curragh last week. But, Canford Cliffs beat him by six lengths at the Irish 2000 Guineas and five lengths in the Group One St. James Palace Stakes. Still, he has nice each-way value. Fourth in the odds for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is Poets Voice, who won the Group Two Celebration Mile at Goodwood in August. He still doesn’t look ready to take on Canford Cliffs and Mafki.

Basically, we should have a footrace between English 2000 Guineas winner, Mafki , and Irish 2000 Guineas winner, Canford Cliffs. They have faced off twice this season. Mafki won the English 2000 Guineas and Canford Cliffs came in third. Six weeks later, Canford Cliffs won the St. James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and Mafki finished seventh. Canford Cliffs also won the Group One Sussex Stakes. Both horses are in great form.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Winner Odds (provided by William Hill)

Canford Cliffs: 5/4

Mafki: 15/8

Rip Van Winkle: 7/2

Poets Voice: 12/1

Steinbeck: 20/1

Awzaan: 25/1

Hearts of Fire: 25/1

Rio de La Plata: 25/1

Beethoven: 40/1

Bushman: 50/1

Red Jazz: 50/1

Air Chief Marshal: 200/1

Windsor Palace: 200/1