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
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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

12th

3

(2)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Ascot

Audience

9st 4lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Better than ever this year, winning Group 1 Lockinge at Newbury (1m) and Group 2 Lennox at Goodwood (7f; beat Art Power by 4l); disappointing fourth of six in 7f Group 2 City Of York (hung left and weakened) when last seen in August, but he's had a break since and would have leading form claims if returning to his best; handles soft ground and gives the impression he'll be effective over a stiff 6f (showed promise in sprints earlier in career).

9/1

4th

2

(6)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 York

Audience

9st 8lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Second to Kinross in this last year (good to firm); improved form when winning the Group 1 Lockinge at Newbury (1m, good) on reappearance and showed that was no one-off with 4l win under 5lb penalty in the Group 2 Lennox at Goodwood (7f, good) last time; no penalty today and has leading claims.

11/8

1st

1

(5)

30th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Goodwood

Audience

9st 11lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Gained his biggest payday when making all in the Group 1 Lockinge at Newbury (1m, good; 22-1) on his reappearance in May, first two clear, but there's a suspicion that he benefited from a well-judged front-running ride; unable to confirm the form with the runner-up Charyn under similar tactics in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) last month; return to 7f no problem and drying ground would suit, but the presence of other front front-runners could complicate matters.

9/1

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

14:30 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

4

(18)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:35 Ascot

Witch Hunter

9st 11lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Richard Hannon

Can be slowly away and was below par in Listed race at Newbury last time; however, he was in good form in 7f/1m Group races previously and the last time he contested a handicap he won the Buckingham Palace here last June (under Jamie Spencer, who excels in big fields on the straight course here); seems versatile ground-wise; capable of having a major say if back on song.

20/1

6th

5

(9)

20th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:05 Newbury

Witch Hunter

9st 4lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

dwelt start, in rear

6/1

3rd

5

(5)

7th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 37y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Witch Hunter

9st 5lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

His form can be up and down and last month's near-miss in the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes (7f, good to firm) came at Newbury, a track which brings out the best in him (won the same race last year on good to soft); however, he's shown promise at this course, he should be fine now back up to 1m, and has leading form claims if at the top of his game.

9/2

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

7th

4

(3)

21st Sep 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ayr

Hi Royal

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Kevin Ryan

disputed lead, led after 2f

25/1

7th

5

(6)

28th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

15:12 Pontefract

Hi Royal

9st 7lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Placed in the 2,000 Guineas and Irish equivalent last season; far from consistent since but this is a big drop back in class; good chance provided he runs to his rating.

4/1

11th

10

(10)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Ascot

Hi Royal

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Kevin Ryan

Still hasn't added to his 2yo novice win; placed in the 2,000 Guineas and Irish equivalent last season but far from consistent since; midfield (never dangerous) in the Lockinge most recently; chance depends on how well he responds to new headgear (blinkers replace cheekpieces).

25/1

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

14:30 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

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

14th

2

(2)

14th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:25 Doncaster

Dear My Friend

9st 11lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charlie Johnston

Smart AW performer who completed a 1m hat-trick early this year; inconsistent since, mostly on turf and including at Listed/Group level; soundly beaten in competitive York handicap most recently.

33/1

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

5th

3

(5)

4th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Flight Plan

9st 6lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

led, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong

9/1

5th

3

(5)

4th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Flight Plan

9st 6lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

led, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong

9/1

9th

2

(3)

14th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

14:15 Leopardstown

Flight Plan

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

prominent, led after 1f, headed over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

50/1

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