Johnston yard may forego bid for third straight Brocklesby

The Mark Johnston yard has won the Brocklesby for each of the last two years but, despite having Faithful Promise entered this year, the trainer's son and assistant Charlie has suggested they could be without a runner in Saturday's renewal unless the race cuts up.

Ravenhoe beat eight rivals in 2015 while last year's Middle Park hero The Last Lion faced nine others, but a large entry has led to the northern powerhouse re-considering a hat-trick bid.

"It will be a decision for tomorrow morning," said Charlie Johnston on Wednesday. "There are 28 entries and 19 or 20 are jocked up so we might not run her.

"We'd like to keep the record going, but we've got to do what's best for her. She's done plenty at home and has worked well – she's ready to run – but we'll do what's right for the horse, not our record."

Johnston also suggested the yard, which has made incredibly strong starts with its two-year-olds for the past two turf campaigns – its first three such runners each season all won – could have a slower start this year due to a system switch.

"Because we got sent a lot more two-year-olds for the last two seasons it resulted in a change of policy and we've looked to get them out earlier," he said. "We've had some good success the last two springs.

"This year they're probably not quite as forward as they were the last two years; the main bulk came in at the turn of the year as opposed to previous years when they came in by October/November.

"That's put us slightly behind but we've got some nice types to go to war with and we'll still run the good ones as soon as they're ready."

He continued: "The thing that's led to our success in the last few years is not being afraid to run one early just because it's good. In the past we'd hold them back but now we just run them and that will be the policy again, just not quite as forcefully as we have done in the first few weeks of recent seasons.

"We'll be sifting through them to try to find a few for Royal Ascot."