Ascot Next Up For Accidental Agent

Last year's shock G1 Queen Anne S. winner Accidental Agent (GB) (Delegator {GB}) set himself up nicely for a defense of his title with a highly respectable third in Saturday's G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury. It was the 5-year-old's first run in eight months and trainer Eve Johnson-Houghton is already looking forward to the opening race of this year's Royal Meeting in which she enjoyed her finest moment as a trainer last year. “I was absolutely thrilled with him,” she said. “We knew he'd need the run slightly, and I would have preferred to have given him one somewhere first, but there was nothing really suitable. I'm confident he'll run really well at Ascot again.” Last year Accidental Agent beat Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) by half a length with Lightning Spear (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) back in third and a reproduction of that form would make a strong candidate to record back to back Queen Anne wins. Added significance for Johnson Houghton is provided by Accidental Agent carrying her mother's colours who also bred the colt out of the 12-year-old mare Roodle (GB) (Xaar {GB}). “No doubt he'll be a big price in the Queen Anne. But he won't know that, and it didn't stop him winning last year. He's versatile regarding ground – he's won on fast and slow, so we're not too bothered on that front,” she added.