May 18 / 15.35 Newbury

15.35

Good

Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

  • Prize money: £226840
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
ITV
View Course
Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

50/1 (Won)

  • Win: £23.00
  • Place: £4.20

Form: 16223-

Last run: 218 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Stablemate of Inspiral; front-runner; performed well in a few major 7f contests last season, winning once and runner-up twice; however, has enough to prove on first crack at 1m and first attempt at Group 1 level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(7)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 1

15:40 Haydock

Audience

9st 10lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Group 1 Lockinge winner in 2024 but on a 12-race losing sequence and he ran badly on his last three starts in Dubai early this year; this is a drop in grade but he's proving increasingly hard to predict.

25/1

1

(4)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newmarket

Audience

9st 5lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Not disgraced in similar event at Doncaster last time but continues below his peak form, namely wins in the Lockinge and Lennox last term; still needs to raise his game.

5/1

3rd

1

(3)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Audience

9st 6lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Smart over 7f/1m on his day; runner-up in this contest in 2023 and won the Lockinge and the Lennox last year; not in the same form since and the switch to blinkers (retained) had no effect last time; the need for a revival continues.

16/1

OUR TIP

9/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 833-11 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; ran respectably in top 1m races won by Paddington last season; 2-2 this term, readily winning the Doncaster Mile (Listed) then coming with a late surge to beat Poker Face in the bet365 Mile at Sandown (Group 2); better than ever as a 4yo and may well improve further; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(8)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:15 Ascot

Charyn

9st 6lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Won with something to spare in the Queen Anne over C&D (good to firm) in June and did likewise in another Group 1 at Deauville in August (1m, good; Prix Jacques le Marois); runner-up in Group 1 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp (1m, soft) last month behind one given an enterprising ride; leading claims.

13/8

1st

5

(9)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Ascot

Charyn

9st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

in touch with leaders, good headway from over 3f out, pushed along to lead under 2f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, kept on well, readily

3/1

2nd

3

(6)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Charyn

9st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Acts on soft; ran respectably in top 1m races won by Paddington last season; 2-2 this term, readily winning the Doncaster Mile (Listed) then coming with a late surge to beat Poker Face in the bet365 Mile at Sandown (Group 2); better than ever as a 4yo and may well improve further; major player.

9/2

40/1

  • Place: £5.10

Form: 410-53 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Successful in 7f events at Royal Ascot (handicap) and this course (Group 2) last season; inferior form over 1m, including defeats in races won by Poker Face (twice) and Charyn; stiff task back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

4

(14)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Newbury

Witch Hunter

9st 9lb

J: Tyrese Cameron

T: Richard Hannon

His only turf wins came in a Royal Ascot handicap and Newbury Group 3, but they were in 2023 and he needs the cards to drop right for his late bids; scored on AW in January but subsequent form, including when 40-1 in the Victoria Cup last Saturday, isn't good enough.

40/1

20th

1

(9)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Witch Hunter

9st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Very useful but rather needs the cards to drop right and gained his only turf wins, namely in Royal Ascot handicap and Newbury Group 3, in 2023; peak AW form this year when scoring in January; finished seventh (off 4lb higher) in this contest 12 months ago.

25/1

Form: 25111- D

Last run: 196 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Acts on good to soft, below par once on soft; six-time Group 1 winner, including twice in the Marois; beat Big Rock by just over 1l in the 2023 running of that race, then justified favouritism in the Sun Chariot (readily) and the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (upped to 1m2f; led close home); highly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(1)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Newmarket

Inspiral

9st 5lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Six-time Group/Grade 1 winner, including this race in 2023 in convincing fashion; not at her best so far this year but she has gone up a notch with each run, making late headway after a typically sluggish start when third in the Jacques le Marois at Deauville on her most recent outing; not one to trust implicitly these days but she'd be the one to beat if returning to her peak.

3/1

6th

10

(10)

19th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:25 Ascot

Inspiral

8st 13lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

The first five of her Group 1 wins were over 1m, including at this meeting in 2022, but she also grabbed the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita last November on her first attempt at 1m2f, switched outside entering the short straight and surging past eight rivals to lead in the final stride; she wasn't the most settled through that race and failed to muster a challenge in a strange Lockinge at Newbury (1m) on reappearance, but huge shout if back to her best.

9/4

4th

11

(1)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Inspiral

8st 13lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

Acts on good to soft, below par once on soft; six-time Group 1 winner, including twice in the Marois; beat Big Rock by just over 1l in the 2023 running of that race, then justified favouritism in the Sun Chariot (readily) and the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (upped to 1m2f; led close home); highly respected.

2/1

5th
6 (4)
Hi Royal

40/1

Form: 3990-3 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Big-priced second in last year's 2,000 Guineas but his form tailed off, including twice in cheekpieces, later in 2023; needs to build on Newmarket reappearance effort (placed in Group 3); headgear reapplied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(13)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Ayr

Hi Royal

9st 13lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Soft-ground second in the 2,000 Guineas in 2023; smart handicapper nowadays but his only success remains a C&D novice win at the 2022 Western meeting; two good placed efforts over 1m at Thirsk this year but well held at Ascot latest and others are preferred for the win again.

16/1

3

(13)

5th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Hi Royal

9st 9lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Kevin Ryan

Soft-ground second in the 2,000 Guineas in 2023; smart handicapper nowadays who still has just one novice success to his name; went close in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (good) on reappearance and it was a step back in the right direction when close third of five at that track (also 1m, good to firm) last month; hasn't shone in three starts here (admittedly twice in Group 1s) but handicapper is gradually relenting.

20/1

2

(4)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

16:40 Thirsk

Hi Royal

9st 12lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Kevin Ryan

Runner-up in the 2,000 Guineas in 2023 but just a useful handicapper nowadays; comes into the reckoning on his second in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (good ground) on reappearance but hasn't repeated the form and carries risks.

6/1

Form: 12221- D

Last run: 210 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Front-running French colt who did well last year for Christopher Head and ties in closely with Inspiral on Marois running; unchallenged in soft-ground QEII at Ascot on final start, winning by 6l having raced in clear lead from an early stage; impressive new rating puts him top in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(3)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Ascot

Big Rock

9st 2lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Maurizio Guarnieri

French colt whose form dipped in the Lockinge on stable/seasonal debut, having been unable to dominate in his usual manner (Audience had the overall lead); progressive otherwise and may rebound with that reappearance under his belt; top rated on his peak performance, namely a 6l success in soft-ground QEII over C&D last October (final start for Christopher Head).

5/1

6th

2

(9)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Big Rock

9st 2lb

J: Aurelien Lemaitre

T: Maurizio Guarnieri

Front-running French colt who did well last year for Christopher Head and ties in closely with Inspiral on Marois running; unchallenged in soft-ground QEII at Ascot on final start, winning by 6l having raced in clear lead from an early stage; impressive new rating puts him top in this field.

2/1

6th

2

(9)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Big Rock

9st 2lb

J: Aurelien Lemaitre

T: Maurizio Guarnieri

Front-running French colt who did well last year for Christopher Head and ties in closely with Inspiral on Marois running; unchallenged in soft-ground QEII at Ascot on final start, winning by 6l having raced in clear lead from an early stage; impressive new rating puts him top in this field.

2/1

Form: 1112-2 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; has form figures of 1111122 over 1m, including two Group wins in France; closely matched with Charyn on Sandown running last month (gets 3lb pull with that rival); the cheekpieces applied that day are retained; generally progressive and again holds solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(8)

4th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Poker Face

9st 6lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

in rear

9/2

1st

4

(8)

4th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Poker Face

9st 6lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

in rear

9/2

12th

5

(7)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:15 Ascot

Poker Face

9st 6lb

J: James Doyle

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Won a Group 3 and Group 2 in France last season (1m, soft/good to soft); this prominent-racer has run well in defeat in 1m Group 2 races on his last three starts (soft/good) but needs something extra today.

66/1

Form: 0-1110 D BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Folded tamely (something possibly amiss) at Newcastle on finals day when losing his unbeaten record on AW; has inferior form on turf and failed to beat a rival in last two attempts in this sphere; opposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(4)

7th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 1

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Dear My Friend

9st 2lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

Useful on turf but better on AW, winning four of his six starts including twice at Listed level (won the corresponding race when it was run at Lingfield in 2024); off the track for a year but still more appealing than many.

20/1

4th

2

(9)

4th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Dear My Friend

9st 6lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Charlie Johnston

in rear

15/2

4th

2

(9)

4th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Dear My Friend

9st 6lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Charlie Johnston

in rear

15/2

Form: 2/398-

Last run: 333 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Smart 2yo in 2022, then finished third in last year's 2,000 Guineas (soft) despite failing to settle; form dipped sharply in two subsequent runs but could well rebound and take a serious hand in big races this term, as per earlier achievements; tongue-tie fitted; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(11)

11th Oct 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Royal Scotsman

9st 5lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

alone against near rail, in touch with leaders, no chance with winner from over 1f out, went second final 110yds, kept on

4/1

1st

6

(5)

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:35 Epsom

Royal Scotsman

9st 8lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

Last season's 3yo campaign was cut short in June after two disappointing Group 1 performances and he was well beaten on his reappearance in the Group 1 Lockinge a fortnight ago; needs to prove he's still the force of old but he was third in last season's 2,000 Guineas (1m, soft) and if tapping back into that ability he has a major shout today; versatile ground-wise.

15/2

25/1

Form: 07231- D

Last run: 252 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Close second to Poker Face at Pontefract last July; made all in Group 2 at Leopardstown (1m, good) on final start and may progress further this term; however, looks unlikely to get an easy lead in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Flight Plan

9st 3lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Failed to build on a decent fourth at Lingfield (1m2f) in February when behind Blue Rc at Newcastle (1m) on Good Friday but the fact he made all in this race off 8lb lower last year means a revival can't be discounted, particularly as he's well drawn to attack again; tongue-tied first time.

13/2

8th

9

(5)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:00 Newcastle (AW)

Flight Plan

8st 13lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Quiet in Dubai in January but he returned to Britain with a good fourth at Lingfield (1m2f) five weeks ago; now 6lb lower than when winning the Thirsk Hunt Cup last May and he has the ability to feature.

25/1

4th

4

(5)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Lingfield (AW)

Flight Plan

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Often front runs; below par in three outings at Meydan last month (including dirt) but well treated if a return to Britain sparks a revival having landed last year's Thirsk Hunt Cup off 6lb higher; Tapeta winner at the start of his career.

16/1

Non-runners

Real World

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £127.20
Straight Forecast £100.76
Tricast £1985.41
Trifecta £1226.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Big Rock

POSTDATA:

Inspiral

The Times:

Royal Scotsman

Daily Mail:

Charyn

RP RATINGS:

Big Rock

TOPSPEED:

Big Rock

Telegraph:

Big Rock

The Guardian:

Big Rock

D Express:

Big Rock

Daily Mirror:

Big Rock

The Sun:

Big Rock

Daily Record:

Big Rock

NEWMARKET:

Inspiral

The Star:

Inspiral