Accidental Agent could do special double in Royal Ascot opener

Accidental Agent can follow up last year’s win in the Queen Anne Stakes, the opening race of Royal Ascot 2019.

Eve Johnson Houghton feels her stable star has never properly been given the credit he deserved for last year’s success, but were he to record back-to-back wins, then there can be little doubt he is one of the best milers around.

The Delegator five-year-old has progressed through the handicap ranks to the highest level, although he has been winless in three outings since announcing himself on the big stage. However, his trainer believes he had genuine excuses for his last two runs of 2018, and there was certainly plenty to like in his reappearance in the Lockinge when he ran a blinder to be third behind Mustashry and Laurens. He faces those two again, but should come on for the run and looks a huge each-way price.

There is also a case for believing Blue Point can win the King’s Stand again but, given all the rain last week, Mabs Cross looks a tempting option.

Michael Dods’ mare was a closing third behind Blue Point and Battaash 12 months ago, before going on to great things herself over five furlongs. Beaten by a pixel in the Nunthorpe at York, she then won the Prix de l’abbaye.

Having defied a big penalty on her return, she could not concede the weight to Battaash at Haydock – but on softer ground and with the doubts about Battaash’s form, the northern raider looks the call.

Shaman can announce himself as the new kid on the block with victory in the St James’s Palace Stakes. He was second in the French 2,000 Guineas to Persian King – and given to date the French three-yearolds have looked better than their British and Irish counterparts, he looks way overpriced.

There was lots to like about the way Phoenix Of Spain won the Irish Guineas, and he is rightly favourite to follow up.

Too Darn Hot will have his supporters, too, despite finishing behind Phoenix Of Spain in the Curragh Classic. King Of Comedy, Too Darn Hot’s stablemate, also looks promising but the unknown quantity is the French challenger.

Richard Hannon’s Threat gets the nod in the Coventry Stakes. The Cheveley Park Stud-owned youngster made a big impression when making a successful racecourse debut at Newmarket’sguineasmeeting and his trainer has not been shy in saying he feels he is his best chance of a winner.