Cougar Mountain has Royal Ascot ticket The Aidan O'Brien-trained Cougar Mountain is the only potential Irish runner in Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot after featuring among 11 confirmations for the Group 1 mile event. The Fastnet Rock colt ran some promising races at the highest level last year and although yet to fire in two starts so far this term, he wasn't beaten far in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last time and remains a smart prospect. French ace Solow and Hong Kong superstar Able Friend remain on course for a mouthwatering clash as they stood their ground at the latest forfeit stage. Solow was a brilliant winner of the Dubai Turf at Meydan in late March and is set to go off the red-hot favourite after after an equally stunning display in last month's Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp. Victory would provide trainer Freddy Head with a second victory in the Royal Ascot curtain-raiser following the magnificent mare Goldikova's triumph in 2010. John Moore's Able Friend is almost untouchable in his homeland and adds intrigue to what promises to be a thrilling contest. Andre Fabre's mare Esoterique is another possible raider from across the Channel. Heading the home challenge is Richard Hannon's Night Of Thunder. Last year's 2000 Guineas hero made a successful return in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and is set to be reopposed by his stable companion and Newbury runner-up Toormore. Lockinge third Arod is also in the mix after subsequently winning the Diomed Stakes at Epsom in some style for Peter Chapple-Hyam. Recent Haydock winner Cable Bay, Glory Awaits, Here Comes When and Rizeena complete the acceptors.
