Hi all,
It’s Lockinge Day at Newbury, and ITV’s early start means seven live races – four from Newbury and three from Newmarket.
Saturday Preview – Lockinge Day at Newbury
The feature is the Group 1 BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes (2.35), the first top-level race of the season for older milers. It’s a strong renewal. Rosallion, last year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner, returns. He faces Notable Speech, last year’s unbeaten 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes star. Add in the race-fit Dancing Gemini and Group 1 filly Tamfana, and this shapes as the best race of the season so far.
The Newbury undercard includes the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes, Listed Carnarvon Stakes, and the always-informative London Gold Cup Handicap. Recent winners of that race include Time Test, Defoe and Bay Bridge, though this year’s field looks less deep on paper.
Here’s my look at the ITV races on Lockinge Day.
12:50 – Aston Park Stakes (Group 3, 1m4f)
Al Aasy can be quirky but has real class on a going day. He won this in 2021 and returned with a smooth win in the Gordon Richards Stakes. He goes well fresh and loves Newbury.
King’s Gambit was gelded over the winter and now wears blinkers. He should have won a Group 3 at Ascot last summer and goes well at the track won the London Gold Cup on this card last year. Solid claims.
Tabletalk was narrowly beaten over C&D on return. He won the Melrose Handicap (1m 6f) last year and is consistent. Slightly tougher race this time but should go well again.
1:25 – Carnarvon Stakes (Listed, 6f)
Ides Of March made a sluggish start but finished strongly in the Listed Committed Stakes at Navan on return. The return to 6f and quicker ground helps. Sets the standard.
Sayidah Dariyan won a Chelmsford conditions race on return. If she transfers that form back to turf, she’s in the mix.
Hold The Dream went close in a Listed contest 16 days ago. Proven on fast ground and still improving. Each-way player.
2:00 – London Gold Cup Handicap (1m2f)
This isn’t a vintage renewal, but there’s still potential on show. Hopefully the race won't be dominated by the O'Brien and Gosden yards.
Asmen Warrior has improved with each of his three career starts and shapes like he’ll win a good handicap pot soon.
Circus Of Rome is more exposed but wasn’t beaten far at Sandown last time. His mark looks workable, and he could go well.
2:35 – Lockinge Stakes (Group 1, 1m)
Rosallion was last seen winning at Royal Ascot. Fast ground suits and if he’s fit enough on a return from a long absence he’s got obvious claims.
Notable Speech has a potent turn of foot and loves fast ground. He won both his Group 1s in style last year and is capable fresh.
Dancing Gemini is race-fit and improving. He impressed when winning a Group 2 at Sandown last time and Ryan Moore now takes over. A big run looks likely.
Tamfana ran a fine race behind Dancing Gemini last time and now gets 5lb. More ease would suit, but she’s a Group 1 winner and can’t be totally ruled out.
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 Osin Murphy taking over in the saddle for a yard that one this last year and in 2021.
I landed on a 14/1 winner at York on Friday. If you want to know what I am backing today and tomorrow you can find out here.
I'll be back on Monday to look back on Lockinge Day
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John