Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on Lockinge Day at Newbury.
Lead Artist lands deep Lockinge as mile division heats up
There was no shortage of quality in Saturday’s Group 1 Lockinge Stakes — in fact, it was arguably one of the deepest renewals in recent memory.
Four previous Group 1 winners lined up, including three Classic scorers. Among them, Lead Artist, who had looked in need of the run behind Dancing Gemini at Sandown, stepped forward in a big way. Nicely placed behind the leaders, he briefly hit the front over a furlong out, was headed by Dancing Gemini, but rallied gamely to get his head in front where it mattered.
Lead Artist relished the fast ground, and Ascot’s stiffer mile in the Queen Anne should suit him even better. He looks to be peaking at just the right time.
Queen Anne now firmly on the radar
Dancing Gemini maintained his upward curve in second. He quickened smartly to lead and ran a cracker, only just denied late on. He, too, is Queen Anne-bound. Saturday proved he handles good to firm, but a strongly run race at Ascot might test his stamina more than Saturday’s race did.
Rosallion (third) and Notable Speech (fourth) are also on course for the Queen Anne. Both were entitled to need the run and raced on the near side of the track. This outing should leave them spot on for Royal Ascot, where we could see all four reoppose. Fitness permitting, it’s shaping up to be one of the races of the summer.
The mile division is properly warming up — and that’s the big positive I take from Saturday’s race.
Don’t give up on Tamfana. She needs cut in the ground and her yard hasn’t quite hit top form. The same goes for Fallen Angel. The ground was likely too quick for her as well, and she shaped as though needing the run. That said, she looked stronger physically this season and should come forward plenty.
Finally, I flagged Lead Artist in Saturday’s preview.
“Lead Artist probably needed the run when well behind Dancing Gemini at Sandown. A sound surface suits and he’s too big at 14/1 with Oisin Murphy taking over in the saddle for a yard that won this last year and in 2021.”
I backed him — and so did Victor Value subscribers — at 16/1.
Saddadd stays on best in London Gold Cup
Earlier on the Newbury card, Saddadd got up close home to land the London Gold Cup on his handicap debut. He has a pronounced knee action, and Saturday’s ground would have been as quick as he’d want it. He lengthens rather than quickens and needed every yard of the long straight to collar the long-time leader Lightening Mann, who had helped force a strong gallop.
The winner is clearly progressive, and some cut in the ground plus a galloping track will always bring out the best in him. I mentioned in Saturday’s preview that this didn’t look the strongest renewal of the race — and I’m sticking with that view for now.
Tabletalk caught out by steady pace
The giant Eydon was well positioned to win a steadily run Group 3 Aston Park Stakes. Runner-up Tabletalk ran as well as could be expected given how slowly they went. He’s a steadily progressive type but probably needs a return to 1m6f and a proper stamina test to be seen to best effect.
Symbol Of Honour takes Carnarvon; Ides Of March better than it looked
Symbol Of Honour, dropped back to 6f, returned to winning ways in the Listed Carnarvon Stakes. The race acts as a Commonwealth Cup trial, though the winner — being a gelding — is ineligible for Royal Ascot.
Even-money favourite Ides Of March fluffed the start and made his effort down the far side, which probably wasn’t the place to be. A better break and racing closer to Symbol Of Honour might well have seen him go close. He’s not one to give up on if you backed him — and he’ll surely still be Royal Ascot-bound for the Commonwealth Cup.
Monday Racing: Fitzdares Sprint Series action returns to Windsor
There’s another Fitzdares Sprint Series qualifier (6:50) at Windsor this evening and it looks competitive.
Regal Envoy, a winner at Newmarket (5f) two starts back, ran just as well when a ½-length second of ten here over 6f last week. It’s a quick turnaround, but if he’s in the same form, he’s the one to beat.
Twilight Jet has smart back form from his time in Ireland and would be well in here if anywhere near his best. This is his first run for new connections, and the market should tell us plenty about what’s expected.
Jumbeau isn’t the easiest to win with — just 2-18 on turf — but her best two RPRs have come over this C&D. She won this race 12 months ago from a 1lb lower mark. Her seasonal return at Epsom, when third beaten 2½ lengths, was encouraging. If she builds on that, she can go well again.
In tomorrow's column I'll be looking back at York's Dante meeting with a focus on future winners.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John