2024 Queen Anne Stakes Result and Replay - Charyn claimed breakthrough Group One success

Royal Ascot 2024 kicked off in fine style this afternoon, as 13 quality milers took part in the Queen Anne Stakes.

Roger Varian's Charyn headed the betting, following a runner-up finish in the Lockinge Stakes. The surprise winner of that Group One, Audience was the sole representative for the Gosden's and Cheveley Park, after ante-post favourite Inspiral was rerouted to Wednesday's Prince Of Wales's Stakes.

Royal Scotsman's withdrawal on the morning of the race saw Maljoom and Big Rock shorten into single-figure prices. Facteur Cheval - who joined Charyn at the top of the betting in the build-up - and Dolayli bolstered the French challenge. Last year's Britannia winner, Docklands and 2023 2000 Guineas runner-up, Hi Royal were also popular in the betting before the starter sent them on their way.

Audience was the last to go into the stalls and Rab Havlin was keen to go forward early, as he did in the Lockinge. Big Rock broke alertly and angled towards the inside rail, where he was joined by countryman Facteur Cheval.

Hi Royal sat prominently behind Audience, with Charyn travelling powerfully on his shoulder. At the halfway stage, the two French raiders decided that the inside rail was the wrong place to be and both attempted to move across.

As Audience gave way on the near side, Docklands began to make a positive move. However, the eyes were immediately drawn to Silvestre De Sousa aboard Charyn, who swept effortlessly to the front.

Charyn soon put clear daylight between himself and the chasing pack. To his credit, Docklands plugged on to try and challenge the winner, with Maljoom making up eye-catching late ground, but Charyn wasn't for catching and capped his sensational progression with a first Group One success.

Very few horses managed to get into the race from off the pace. Big Rock and Facteur Cheval paid the price for their gamble on the inside track, as both fell away late on. Charyn, however, was much the best on the day and proved he could perform at the highest level on genuinely fast ground.