Johnson Houghton hopeful Group 1 winner Accidental Agent can build on Ascot run

3.00 Windsor
Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Midsummer Stakes (Listed) | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV4/Sky

A cross section of milers are represented in this eight-runner affair with a couple of older, more exposed performers set to face a fresh batch of rock-solid handicappers. Mark Johnston won the race with Matterhorn last year and his Cardsharp looks the obvious pace angle this time around.

Forecast favourite Stormy Antarctic comes out on top on official ratings (114). The winner of five Group races, his penchant for soft ground saw him finish fourth to Roaring Lion in the 2018 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but he is also effective on a sounder surface.

Ed Walker’s globetrotter is remarkably consistent and ran respectably when fourth under a 5lb penalty in the Diomed Stakes 15 days ago, where he comfortably beat the reopposing History Writer – who is now 8lb worse off – by four and a half lengths.

Accidental Agent is the other runner representing the old guard and he produced a fine effort to be fifth at 100-1 in the Queen Anne, a race in which he enjoyed his finest moment in 2018.

He made the biggest impact of those that raced in rear and did so towards the unfavoured centre of the track. Third of five when a non-stayer in the Group 3 Winter Hill Stakes at this venue last August, the gelding operation could make him a more reliable force this term.

Davydenko: a rapid improver for Sir Michael StouteCredit: Edward Whitaker

The pair look to hold the advantage in this competitive field, but such was Davydenko's improvement last season (15lbs), trainer Sir Michael Stoute has decided to roll the dice with the four-year-old. A course-and-distance winner, he will need to do better than when well beaten in handicap company on his return.

Royal Hunt Cup third Pogo appears to be peaking and is worth a try at this level, while last year's Jersey fourth Urban Icon has the form to threaten here – an RPR of 113 achieved in March's Wulfruna Stakes – but his task has been made more difficult by a 3lb penalty.
Analysis by Maddy Playle

Key stat

Louis Steward is reunited with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Davydenko. Steward is three from three aboard the homebred son of Intello, who steps into stakes company for the first time here.

What they say

David Menuisier, trainer of History Writer
I've declared him in the hope of thunderstorms. I won't run unless it's at least good or good to soft. He ran really well at Newbury given the conditions but he will only reach his peak when the ground gets softer. If the conditions were suitable, as long as he handles the track he'll run a good race. He carries the penalty for his win in France last year and, unless there is a downpour, at the moment it's a case of maintaining his form and praying for rain later in the season.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Urban Icon
I've been very pleased with his work. He didn't have a great draw at Haydock which made life difficult in what was a pretty hot race. I think Windsor will be more to his liking and he's a good horse, he should run well.

Urban Icon: a Listed winner at Wolverhampton in MarchCredit: Edward Whitaker

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Accidental Agent
We were very pleased with him at Ascot. He's in good form and while he likes a straight track, Windsor has a pretty long home straight. He should be very competitive and really, if he runs like he ran in the Queen Anne, he should be winning. It comes quite quickly but there are not many races he can run in.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Pogo
He ran a great race at Ascot having come quite a long way off the pace. He went up 2lb for that so I thought we may as well give him a chance at this level and see how he gets on.

Ed Walker, trainer of Stormy Antarctic
He ran well at Newbury after a long time off in a very hot race and giving weight away. I think he's come on plenty for that run and we're very hopeful if the ground isn't too quick he can get the job done.
Reporting by Scott Burton

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