Key pointers as Wesley Ward aims to light up the meeting again with flying filly

Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) | 5f | 2yo fillies | ITV/RUK

Flying fillies have become one of Wesley Ward's calling cards at the royal meeting and the American trainer bids for a third win in the race in the last four years with Chelsea Cloisters.

Regarded by the always bullish Ward as the best of his juvenile raiding party this year, Chelsea Cloisters made an eye-popping debut on the dirt at Keeneland in April when winning by an eased-down eight lengths.

Ward's previous Queen Mary winners have reached high standards and the trainer is confident Chelsea Cloisters can emulate Jealous Again, Acapulco and Lady Aurelia.

Ward was pleased with what he saw from the filly on Tuesday and said: "She feels very well. She was jumping around, which is what you want to see the day before the race.

"From what I've seen today I really like her. It's always a concern with the travel and you want to see some life. She's taken it all in and is doing well and that's given me a lot of confidence that she's going to run well."

Can Cox leave Ward feeling blue again?

Clive Cox dealt out heartache for Ward in the Queen Mary last year when Heartache defeated Happy Like A Fool.

According to the betting, Cox has the best chance of denying Ward again, this time with Shades Of Blue.

Adam Kirby's mount was a debut winner over course and distance and the form of that victory has been given several boosts, notably by runner-up Queen Of Bermuda. She has won her two subsequent starts and is entered in Saturday's Windsor Castle.

Cox said: "Shades Of Blue made a really impressive debut in a very hot maiden and we've been delighted with her in the meantime. I think she'll appreciate the nice quick ground and I'm hopeful she'll take another step forward."

Could O'Brien claim a maiden victory?

It seems scarcely believable there are still major races Aidan O'Brien has not won at least once, but the Queen Mary is one that has eluded the Ballydoyle trainer.

This year O'Brien has two chances in So Perfect and Gossamer Wings.

So Perfect was fourth last time behind Servalan, who lines up in opposition for Jessica Harrington, while Gossamer Wings comes into the race off the back of a Navan maiden win, which was her third start.

O'Brien said: "Gossamer Wings has progressed with each run. She has plenty of speed, so the race should suit her.

"So Perfect won nicely over the trip on her debut at Navan. She then ran fourth in a Listed race at Naas, where she was quite green. We're happy with her and dropping back in distance should suit."

Classic double anyone?

The Queen Mary Stakes-1,000 Guineas double has been done only twice since the second world war, courtesy of Waterloo in 1971 and Attraction in 2003. Can any of the fillies here emerge with Classic potential?

What the rest say

Con Marnane, co-owner of Forever In Dreams
She’s a lovely filly and I bought the dam, a half-sister to Marchand D’Or, for two grand in France. This is the Olympics, we’re here and we have a runner, so we’re going to enjoy every minute.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Kodyanna and Red Balloons
Kodyanna improved quite a bit for her first run when winning the Hilary Needler and looks like she's improved again. She's entitled to be there. Red Balloons was a bit unlucky at Musselburgh, she got knocked over a couple of times. Plenty of pace will suit.

Archie Watson, trainer of Luchador and Shumookhi
Luchador is very tough and has plenty of speed. She won well from the front at Thirsk and hopefully she can run a solid race. Shumookhi is a very nice filly with a lot of speed. The form of both of her runs has worked out very well and I think she'll run a very nice race.

James Tate, trainer of Second Generation
She reminds me a lot of her dam [El Manati] and shows loads of speed. She was very impressive at Catterick, not beating a lot. This is a big step up but we're hopeful.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Servalan
I'm very happy with her and she's come out of her last run very well. It's a big ask but she's won a Listed race and I'm hopeful she can show her best.

John Quinn, trainer of Signora Cabello
She did it well at York and she’s kept improving all along. She's in very good form and will like the ground, while the stiff track will suit her too.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Snazzy
I don't mean any disrespect to the two horses that beat us at York but my filly took us completely by surprise in how sharp she was out of the gates and, as a result, got no cover from stall one and was very keen. I think it's a huge credit to her she stayed on to finish third. We think she's pretty smart and, now that we know, we'll be aware and try to get a little bit of cover for the first couple of furlongs.

Johnny Murtagh, trainer of Yolo Again
She's not a big filly but she's a sharp, speedy sort who will love the fast ground and the trip.

Read exclusive previews from 6pm daily on racingpost.com