Byron back for more as O'Brien readies a three-pronged attack

Qatar Airways Minstrel Stakes | Group 2 | 7f | 3yo+ | ATR

No horse has managed to land a glove on Gordon Lord Byron in the past two runnings of this race and Tom Hogan's evergreen nine-year-old will be bidding to hang onto his crown.

The remarkable veteran has won Group 1s in Britain, France and Australia in his long career and has already scored this season in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes at this course in May, bringing his career tally to 16 wins.

Among those standing in his way is a three-pronged Ballydoyle attack spearheaded by Spirit Of Valor, who ran by far his best race when only narrowly touched off in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Aidan O'Brien also runs Peace Envoy and Cougar Mountain, both of whom will need to improve on recent efforts to get involved.

The raiding party looks as strong as the home defence and the Charlie Hills-trained Dutch Connection looks particularly interesting back over seven furlongs.

William Haggas sends Mubtasim, while fellow British trainers David O'Meara and Ed Walker run So Beloved and Stormy Antarctic respectively.

How do the three-year-olds fare?

Both of Aidan O'Brien's recent winners of this race – Darwin in 2013 and Air Chief Marshal in 2010 – won as three-year-olds.

It’s a tactic that has worked well, and perhaps Peace Envoy and Spirit Of Valor can repeat the trick. However, only five three-year-olds have won this contest since 1999. Mubtasim also represents the Classic generation.

What they say

Aidan O’Brien, trainer of Cougar Mountain, Spirit Of Valor and Peace Envoy
Cougar Mountain is a tough campaigner, and trip and ground should be fine for him. We were a little disappointed with Peace Envoy at Ascot as he raced a little too keenly. Hopefully he can leave that run behind. We were delighted with Spirit Of Valor at Ascot. The seven furlongs and fast ground suited him well there and we've been very happy with him since. Everything seems in his favour again.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Dutch Connection
I'm glad they missed the rain and we’re looking forward to running him over seven furlongs again. All being well he’ll go to Goodwood after this.

Tom Hogan, trainer of Gordon Lord Byron
There's real strength in depth to the race so it won't be easy. He's in top form and ran a very good race here last time. We said we were aiming to get to the 20-winner mark and the quest continues in this. I'm confident he can run a very good race.

William Haggas, trainer of Mubtasim
He's fine and he'll like the ground if it stays dry. The stiff track should be good for him as he might get a mile in time.

Ed Walker, trainer of Stormy Antarctic
He was too keen in the blinkers in Hong Kong, and again at Windsor, where I thought he was the best horse in the race but had burned himself out before the finish. We're taking the blinkers off, and dropping back to seven furlongs is interesting and exciting. It's competitive, and I'd rather be going there on the back of a win, but the last time he ran at the trip he was second in a Group 1.