Trainers quotes: Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot

View from connections ahead of Saturday's Group Two Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot.

Peter Chapple-Hyam is confident there is further improvement in Arod ahead of Saturday's Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot.

The four-year-old has long been the apple of his trainer's eye and acquitted himself well in both the Dante at York and Epsom Derby last season.

He appears to have taken his game to another level this term, finishing a close third on his return to action in the Lockinge at Newbury before routing the opposition in Epsom's Diomed Stakes and he steps up to Group Two level for this weekend's feature event in Berkshire.

"We've been very happy with him since Epsom and decided to skip the Queen Anne at the Royal meeting to come here instead," said Chapple-Hyam.

"I'm sure there's more improvement in him. He seems to be getting stronger all the time.

"We'll see how he gets on on Saturday before we make any other plans.

"We know he likes fast ground - the faster the better."

Arod is one of two runners for leading owner Qatar Racing, with Sheikh Fahad's maroon colours also set to be carried by the unbeaten Lightning Spear.

The Pivotal colt took his record to four from four in a Salisbury handicap last month and trainer Olly Stevens has decided the time is right to step up in class, bypassing engagements in Newmarket's Bunbury Cup and the John Smith's Cup at York.

With the owner's retained rider Andrea Atzeni partnering Arod, Oisin Murphy comes in for the mount on Lightning Spear.

Stevens said: "He's unbeaten over a mile and Ascot's stiff course wouldn't worry me at all.

"A smaller field was less risky. Had he run in a handicap on Saturday, it would have been his last handicap anyway before going on to Group races.

"We just decided to grasp the nettle a little bit early."

With the Richard Hannon-trained Toormore set to bypass the race, Arod and Lightning Spear star among eight remaining runners.

Charlie Hills saddles Timeform Jury Stakes winner Cable Bay and is anticipating a bold show.

"I like the look of the draw (stall four) and this is a very good horse," said Hills.

"The time of the Dewhurst when he finished second was very good and he's been there and done it.

"The ground might be slightly on the quick side for him, but he's a horse who is still improving and I don't think we've seen the best of him yet."

Godolphin's Bow Creek and the James Fanshawe-trained Hors De Combat also feature in an interesting heat.