Dance ready for his 'heart to pound' with Laurens primed for Queen Anne

John Dance is prepared for his "heart to pound out of his chest" as his star filly Laurens bids to add another Group 1 to her glittering CV in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

The popular filly has won five times at the top level and is a general 6-1 chance for the royal meeting's opener after finishing second to Mustashry, who reopposes, on her seasonal return in the Lockinge.

In the care of Karl Burke, Laurens has already given her owner a first taste of Group 1 and Classic glory but will now bid to give Dance an inaugural Royal Ascot success.

The owner has had four runners at the meeting, with three finishing fourth, and said: "She's fine and looks superb. Karl is very happy with her and PJ [McDonald, jockey] did her last piece of work on Tuesday and was happy too. She seems in good shape and ready to do herself justice.

"I have never had a winner [at Royal Ascot] but it's a huge ambition, as it is for any owner. It's hard to say Laurens will be our greatest ever chance but she is probably our best so far."

Laurens: defeated Alpha Centauri in a Matron Stakes epic last yearCredit: Caroline Norris

On his pre-race nerves, the owner added: "I wouldn't say I have become accustomed to it, but you condition yourself into thinking it is not possible for a filly to win another Group 1 and that takes the nerves and internal pressure away.

"I'm sure the unique nature of the meeting and a Group 1 race will set the heart pounding out of my chest. Let's hope it lasts to the end of the race."

Dance believes last week's wet weather makes little difference to the chances of the ultra-tough Laurens, who proved herself versatile on any ground when racking up four Group 1 wins last season.

Dance said: "I don't know if she's any better or worse on slower, or even faster ground but some of the field would have preferred the conditions to be faster. From our point of view she'll be fine as she's stayed further [than a mile] so if it is a bit testing then it shouldn't be a problem."

Laurens is one of two Royal Ascot runners for Dance, who also has Mighty Spirit in the Queen Mary. She has finished second on two starts but despite not yet shedding her maiden tag, Dance believes she could run a big race.

He said of the general 16-1 chance: "It's not often a twice-raced maiden goes to the Queen Mary but she blew the start on her first start and then she was beaten by a potentially smart filly in Good Vibes in the Marygate at York where she was not ideally drawn.

"Five furlongs and a little give in the ground, would be in her favour. She's a maiden but has earned her place in that field."

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