Lockinge Stakes at Newbury

The Group One Lockinge Stakes over a mile at 16.50 CET is clearly the best race of the day and has attracted a good field, including German raider Chopin (Andreas Wöhler/ Jamie Spencer). Unfortunately the improvement in the weather had resulted in the gound firming up, which will not be to his taste. It should also inconvience some of others as well- Olympic Glory (Richard Hannon/ Frankie Dettori), the likely hot favourite, has shown his best form on soft going, as have Tullius (Andreas Balding/ Jimmy Fortune) and Top Notch Tonto (Brian Ellison/ Dale Swift). Even so, we expect Olympic Glory to win as he has easily the best form, including his QE II win at Ascot and his excellent second places to Moonlight Cloud and Maxios in France. His stable companion Montiridge (Richard Hughes) is one who could be suited by the ground, while ex-USA dirt Performer Verrazano (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) is hard to assess; he won two Group Ones in the States but generally, we prefer to leave out these imports on their first run in Eiurope. Wöhler knows all about Empire Storm (Mike Attwater/ Kieren Fallon), whom he used to train; he hardly seems good enough to figure in this company, but could make the running. Chopin was a spectacular winner of the Dr. Busch last year, following which he was sold to Qatar Racing and ran well enough in the Derby, but was well beaten on form ground at Royal Ascot. He made a satisfactory reappearance and we hope he runs well, although the two Hannon runners seem to be the ones to beat.

The listed Aston Park Stakes over 1 mile 5 furlongs here at 15.05 has a field strong enough for most group races over this trip, headed by Mount Athos (Marco Botti/ Spencer), third in last year´s Melbourne Cup. He faces some tough opposition here, notably the big improver Battalion (William Haggas/ Ryan Moore) and the smart hurdler Forgotten Voice (Nicky Henderson/ Dettori). He is being aimed at Melbourne again, but if he is at 100% he would win this; however for today we prefer Battalion.

There are also two listed races at Newmarket, both for 3yo´s, over 7 furlongs at 15.55 and over ten at 17.05. The latter race should go to Pinzolo (Charlie Appleby/ Silvestre de Sousa), although as a son of Monsun, he would probably prefer some ease in the ground; however he has the best form and Truth or Dare (Hannon/ Martin Dwyer), who does like it form, can follow him home. In the earlier event we hope that Parbold (Richard Fahey/ Freddie TylickI) can redeem himself after a below-par effort over this CD in the Free Handicap. However he is very well treated by the race conditions, and can take his revenge on Aeolus (Ed McMahon/ Graham Lee), while the filly Dorothy B (John Gosden/ William Buick) is possibly a bigger danger.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Connecticut - Obsidian - Moohaarib
2. Race: Battalion - Mount Athos - Sky Hunter
3. Race: Bronze Angel - Fort Knox - Indignant
4. Race: Windshear - Satellite - Cannock Chase
5. Race: Olympic Glory - Verrazano - Tullius
6. Race: Bon Voyage - Between Wickets - Dianora
7. Race: Angelic Air - Aertex - Token Of Love