Can Lightning strike at Ascot?


13 June 2018


LIGHTNING Spear looks set for a chance to avenge his narrow Lockinge Stakes loss to Rhododendron.

Both horses remain in the Queen Anne Stakes after the latest entry for the Royal Ascot meeting opener was published today.

Sixteen horses were confirmed at the six-day stage, including Trillium Place’s star miler.

Lightning Spear came agonisingly close to landing a first Group 1 win at Newbury last month when he went down by a short head to Rhododendron.

Trainer David Simcock said: “We were hoping the Lockinge would be his day.

“He wasn’t unlucky but he was probably in front just before and just after the line. It was just one of those.

“But he goes to Ascot in good shape. We’ve kept him as fresh as possible and hope that he’s lost a little bit of that inconsistency of last year.”

The entry for the Wolferton Stakes was also revealed this afternoon and it includes two Simcock-trained horses.

Majeed, who was second in the same mile and quarter Listed contest 12 months ago, is among the 40-strong entry, as is stable-mate Sumbal.