Avenger to take Ascot chance

James Eustace this morning pointed the way to the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 20 for Lady Avenger.

The Namid filly broke her maiden tag on debut at Windsor then followed up with a smart second behind Sweepstake at Sandown in the National Stakes last week.

Newmarket-based trainer Eustace said: “Lady Avenger ran well at Sandown when we probably were not favoured by her low draw. But she still produced a good performance and has taken her race well.

“I was also pleased to see her Windsor form boosted by the horse of Richard Hannon’s (May Day Queen). She finished third behind Lady Avenger at Windsor and yesterday ran third in the Group Three Swordlestown at Naas.

“So I think we’re entitled to have a shot at the Queen Mary and feel that it is worth taking our chance if we end up competing against Sweepstake again.

“The only factor that may sway us away from running at Royal Ascot would be if the ground was very fast there.”