TO paraphrase an old chestnut from social media, find someone who looks at you the way Chris Hayes looks at Tahiyra.

It isn’t often that riders exude such raw enthusiasm and admiration for their equine partners as Hayes does with the Aga Khan’s world-class three-year-old, and the pair are gearing up for arguably their biggest mission yet in today’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.05) on British Champions Day at Ascot.

Dermot Weld has demonstrated all of his trademark patience by targeting an autumn campaign with the superstar miler, and - fresh from a magnificent Matron Stakes success at Leopardstown last month - Hayes is full of excitement to again team up with this season’s Irish 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes heroine.

Connections have said, however, that the prospect of extremely soft ground is a major concern for the daughter of Siyouni.

“She’s very unique,” Hayes told The Irish Field. “I’ve never experienced anything like her to travel as well as her and pick up. I can’t wait to ride her - it’s something to savour.

Weather watch

“What the rain does to the ground over the next while is going to tell us a lot but she’s very well and looks great. It would be a nice way to sign off the year if we got our conditions and she put her best foot forward, to get to see where she lies against the colts and top older horses.

“I don’t think we’d be hugely worried with soft ground but it’s if the ground turns worse than that with the rain - if it turned into a deluge. I rode Tarnawa on really testing ground over there a few years ago and she just couldn’t get through it - it’s a place that can turn very heavy.

“That’s my concern but she’s very well. Her turn of foot is very good on decent ground, albeit she handled it on the slow side in last year’s Moyglare Stud Stakes.”

There is no shortage of top-quality opposition in today’s line-up. Prolific Group 1 winner Paddington tops the market, Irish Champion Stakes third Nashwa looks a big player now reverting to a mile and high-class French challenger Big Rock cannot be underestimated. This year’s 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean is a double-figure price.

“It’s an incredible renewal of the race,” said Hayes. “If the ground comes up okay, hopefully the style of the race in terms of the pace and draw will suit.

Autumn focus

“The boss has her in great shape - she looks a million dollars. She was trained with a second-half-of-the-season campaign in mind so I’d like to see connections be rewarded by the chance for her to line up and then show her best. When you have one like her with a live chance in a Group 1, you have to look forward to it.”

Hayes and Weld also have a chance in the concluding Balmoral Handicap (4.25) with this season’s Colm Quinn BMW Mile and Irish Cambridgeshire winner Coeur D’or - in the form of his life at the age of seven.

“He’s been a legend for us; he’s just been transformed and it’s a reward for the patience shown in him by the boss and the owners,” said Hayes.

“He’s come a long way from a Laytown maiden win last autumn and has been a very good horse to me. I don’t think you necessarily have to deliver him late but when they go a good gallop, this horse loves it.

“I wouldn’t like to see it heavy for him but he’s in great shape and you’d have to be looking forward to him too.”