Connections of Endless Drama are happy with the recent rain that has fallen in Berkshire ahead of today's Queen Anne Stakes.

The Ger Lyons-trained colt, runner-up to Gleneagles in last season's Irish 2000 Guineas, ran an excellent race on his first competitive start in almost a year to take third in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. There was four millimetres rain overnight up to 6.00am today. The trainer's brother Shane feels the rain-softened ground enhances his claims.

He said: "The rain they have got at Ascot certainly won't do any harm. He can handle cut in the ground well and, maybe more importantly, it will inconvenience some of the opposition."

The other Irish runner is Aidan O'Brien's Cougar Mountain who was third in this race last year.

Belardo came with a withering late run to claim the second Group 1 victory of his career in the Lockinge and trainer Roger Varian is expecting another bold show on the softer ground.

He said: "We're very pleased with him, his work has been excellent since the Lockinge. He's a stronger horse this year, he's holding his condition much better. I couldn't be more pleased with him and I'm really looking forward to the race."

The French filly, Ervedya, who won on soft ground at Deauville last season, has also been well supported on the ground and is second favourite at best priced 5/1/

In an international field from five countries, connections of Tepin are confident the rain-softened ground will not be detrimental to her chances. The brilliant American mare has been prolific in her homeland and is one of the leading contenders for the first race of the week at the summer showpiece fixture.

Norman Casse, assistant trainer to his father Mark, reports last season's Breeders' Cup Mile heroine to have taken her transatlantic journey in her stride.

He told At The Races: "The reason she is here is because of the racehorse she has become, she's more professional and I don't think anything will rattle her. This is the biggest stage she'll ever be on, but I think she's ready and will handle it.

"Everybody is worried about the weather, but if you look at her race before the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland, it rained for three days before it and they nearly switched it to dirt and that may be the best race she ever ran.

"Her last race was something of a gimme and it was to get her 100 per cent for here, so far it has all worked out."