Karl Burke bullish Laurens can improve from Lockinge in Royal Ascot opener

Laurens, a leading light of the 2018 Flat season, could be among the stars at Royal Ascot next week and confidence is high in her camp of a huge run in Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes.

Trained by Karl Burke for John Dance, Laurens won the Prix Saint-Alary, Prix de Diane, Matron and Sun Chariot last season, and made a pleasing reappearance when second to the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Mustashry in Newbury's Lockinge Stakes.

He is 5-1 for the Queen Anne with Laurens a general 7-1 shot, although the presence of Le Brivido - fifth at Newbury - at the top of the market has perplexed Burke.

The trainer respects Stoute and Mustashry, but said in his Racing Post Weekender column: "Then again, his [Stoute's] horses were flying then while ours weren't in particularly good form and, although the winner beat us fair and square on the day, I'd be surprised if we don't improve past him this time.

"We'll see whether something else comes out of the woodwork, but I'm amazed that Le Brivido, who was only fifth, is ahead of us in the betting.

"With no worries over ground or track – the stiff mile is ideal as she stays a mile and a quarter yet she seems to be getting quicker with age – we're just looking forward to her running her usual huge race."

Read exclusive views from Karl Burke every Wednesday in the Racing Post Weekender

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