RACING/SATURDAY'S MEETINGS:THE IRISH star Rip Van Winkle can carve out a unique niche for himself in Ascot history if getting the better of the French hope Makfi in today's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Although the 1970s stars Brigadier Gerard and Rose Bowl won back-to-back renewals of the QEII, it was in the days when the mile event was a Group Two.

No horse in the 23 years it has been a Group One has managed to win it twice but Rip Van Winkle is returning to the scene of last year’s success with all guns blazing. Aidan O’Brien has engaged the apparent pacemaker Air Chief Marshal and Beethoven who was only just behind Rip in the Irish Champion Stakes earlier this month.

The drop back to a mile should suit both colts but Johnny Murtagh has always been Rip Van Winkle’s biggest fan and a fast run mile should suit the defending champion even on ground that may be softer than ideal.

“I’ve always thought he was special and he obviously likes the track,” Murtagh said yesterday. “Makfi won the Guineas and showed in France that that was no fluke.”

Makfi’s defeat of Goldikova in the Jacques Le Marois is an outstanding piece of form but his trainer admits his principal end-of-season target remains the Breeders’ Cup.

It’s hard to imagine that any slight chink in Makfi’s fitness can’t be exploited by a horse like Rip Van Winkle.

O’Brien and Murtagh are also represented in the Group One Meon Valley Stud Fillies Mile by the Moyglare fourth Together who takes on Goldolphin’s unbeaten May Hill winner White Moonstone as well as the impressive Theyskens’ Theory.

Ballydoyle’s Joshua Tree won last year’s Royal Lodge after finishing runner-up in a Listowel Nursery and Treasure Beach will be attempting a similar job today.

However Joshua Tree wasn’t up against as highly rated a prospect as Frankel who is already favourite for next year’s Derby.

This afternoon’s home feature is the nine-furlong Group Three at Gowran Park which could provide the topweight She’s Our Mark with compensation after an unlucky run in the Blandford.

That wasn’t the first time she has met trouble in running however and there may be value in siding with Devoted To You instead after her own Blandford comeback.

Ruby Walsh can enjoy a good afternoon at Navan’s all-jumps card with an opening treble including the smart horse Drumfire in the first maiden hurdle.