Animal Kingdom highlights Royal Ascot opener

Ascot opens its doors for the Royal meeting Tuesday and, like 12 months ago

when Frankel graced the opening Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes, the action starts

with a major presence as the world's greatest comeback kid, Animal Kingdom, bids

for a unique international treble.

Whereas his predecessor was homebound for his career, Team Valor's flagbearer

has charted a diverse path from his native America to Dubai and now to England

for his probable career finale. His record on turf includes second placings to

the heavyweights of that sphere Wise Dan and Point of Entry Breeders' Cup Mile

and Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap, respectively, and there should be nothing of

that caliber lurking in this soft-looking renewal. However, the five-year-old's

distance of travel has to cast some cloud over his prospects. Trainer Graham

Motion is under no illusion as to the task in hand.

"It certainly is an unusual situation and a huge challenge that we are taking

on," Motion said. "I've always wanted to come back here and take a shot at one

of the prestigious races and I couldn't imagine having a better horse to do it

with than Animal Kingdom. He's very laid-back and that has shown since he's been

over here -- he's adjusted and fitted in very well. He is an extraordinary

animal and the grass is probably his preferred surface.

"I'm not sure what his best distance is, but the mile at Ascot is more

comparable to a mile and a furlong, which is what he would be running over in

the States. He has a tremendous turn of foot and great speed that he can use at

any time.

"We probably learnt a lot about him at Newbury, as what threw us was that he

won his group race over a mile and a quarter and he showed a lot more speed than

we thought," O'Brien said. "Maybe we did the wrong thing with him and maybe I

didn't have him fit enough, so we've changed a lot of things and we still think

he's an exciting horse. We need to find out what his correct trip is now, as

he's a powerhouse and an unbelievable specimen and he might even have to go back

shorter the way he's training." 

Prix Marcel Boussac and Rothschild winner Elusive Kate could provide the

pace, as she responds to aggressive tactics. Third when last seen in the Queen

Elizabeth II Stakes in October, she faces a tough task attempting to beat the

colts first time up.

"Like everyone else, I have plenty of respect for Animal Kingdom, but I'm

sure that he's plenty short enough and is there to be taken on and I feel that

Elusive Kate is ideal for the job," jockey William Buick said. "She couldn't

have done any more at home than she has and the boss, John Gosden, knows her

inside out. A straight mile and nice ground is just what she wants and I'm sure

that the males up against her will know she's about come the finish."