Goldikova, Canford Cliffs Clash at Ascot

Goldikova's eagerly-anticipated clash with Canford Cliffs looks set for Tuesday, with the two star milers both among the early entries for the Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes, opening event of the five-day Royal Ascot festival, which runs from June 14 through Saturday, June 18.

Breeders’ Cup Mile multiple champion Goldikova, a winner of 13 Gr1 stakes, including last year's Queen Anne, is set to be accompanied by her pacemaker Flash Dance, who is also among the eight early entries for the Queen Anne.

Canford Cliffs, who took the Gr1 St James's Palace Stakes on the same Ascot card 12 months ago and started off this season with success in the Gr1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, could be joined once again by his Richard Hannon-trained stablemate Dick Turpin.

Ireland’s champion trainer Aidan O'Brien has only one option in the shape of Cape Blanco, while his old adversary Saeed Bin Suroor has entered Rio De La Plata for Godolphin.

Ransom Note and Cityscape complete the field.

"Canford Cliffs is in terrific form and we are all looking forward to meeting Goldikova," Hannon said on his website.

"The French mare is a legend, but racing is all about competition and let's hope we have a great race.”

The early betting offered by British bookmakers is evenly split between the pair; some favoring Canford Cliffs at odds of 11/10, while others make the Freddy Head-trained Goldikova a 6-5 favorite.