OISIN MURPHY will be praying that lightning doesn’t strike twice in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Group 1-winning rider just lost out in the Lockinge aboard Lightning Spear, but you can expect a different story in the festival opener.
David Simcock’s former Group 2 winner has yet to win at the highest level, but judged on his performance at Newbury last month that will change in the near future.
The seven-year-old’s reappearance effort in that contest recorded an RPR higher than in any of his performances last season.
With the prospect of more to come now that he’s had an outing, connections must be hopeful of gaining a first top tier success.
David Simcock has started the season in tremendous fettle, and provided his horses stay in form, Lightning Spear will provide a formidable challenge to his rivals.
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It’s also worth remembering that the last time the seven-year-old ran on good ground in an Ascot Group 1 he nearly got the better of both Minding and Ribchester.
There’s certainly nothing of their calibre in the line up this year, and although he needs to turn the form around with Rhododendron, there was only a bob of the head separating them at Newbury.
What’s more, Aidan O’Brien’s filly has never run at Ascot which certainly works in Lightning Spear’s favour, as the straight course can take some getting used to.
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Aside from winning a Celebration Mile at Goodwood, last season was disappointing for the son of Pivotal, but now that he’s back in form it would be folly to write him off.
There should not be such a large price discrepancy between Lightning Spear and Rhododendron, and David Simcock’s runner looks far too big at 8-1.
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