Great run by Spear Owen and Tiara next up

Trainer David Simcock was left ruing the rain and resulting soft ground at Royal Ascot after Lightning Spear's gallant effort in today's Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes.

The five-year-old finished third, beaten half a length and one and a quarter lengths, by the American mare Tepin and runner-up Belardo. The first two are both top-level winners Tepin took the Breeders' Cup Mile last year, while Belardo recently landed the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury which puts Lightning Spear's performance in an even better light. In addition, he was making his season's debut, and it was his first run for Simcock's stable following his transfer from retired trainer Olly Stevens.

Simcock said: "I'd love to have run him on faster ground. He's a very nice horse to inherit [from Stevens] and I guess he will go for the obvious races, but I'd just like to win a race with him. He has no penalties, and so I might put him in a Listed race or Group Three, and I daresay he might go travelling later in the year. He's a lovely horse to have around and on faster ground I am sure you will see his true colours."

Jockey Oisin Murphy said: "I'm delighted with him - the ground wasn't right for him, but he put in a very brave effort and picked up going to the line. If he can build on that he will be very hard to beat in Group Ones later in the season."

Endless Drama, who was a close third to Belardo at Newbury, could not repeat that effort and faded to finish ninth. Kevin Darley, an advisor to Sheikh Fahad, said the very soft ground had been a factor. Pearl Secret, who has long been considered an easy-ground horse, is probably happier on a sounder surface these days, and he too played no part in the finish of the King's Stand Stakes.

Arod and Ready To Roc were non-runners on account of the going.

Qatar Racing has two Royal Ascot runners tomorrow Mr Owen carries a big weight (9st 9lb) in the Royal Hunt Cup (17.00) over the track's straight mile, while Opal Tiara contests the Sandringham Handicap (17.35). Murphy partners both horses.

Mick Channon, who trains Opal Tiara, says: ‚"I have been very pleased with her since her run at Leicester [when second last month]. Time will tell whether her draw in stall four is a good or bad one, as much will depend where the pace is, and I don't think the current ease in the ground should present a problem.‚"