Newbury Lockinge: Ribchester wins for Fahey

3.30 Newbury - Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (Group 1)

1st Ribchester (7/4 fav)
2nd Lightning Spear (9/2)
3rd Breton Rock (25/1)

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Report

Ribchester outclassed his rivals to win the Group One Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes for Sporting Life columnist Richard Fahey.

William Buick was forced into an immediate change of plan after pacemaker Toscanini missed the break, choosing to take his mount to the front and head down the centre of the track.

Market rival Galileo Gold was also promiment, but Frankie Dettori elected to take him away from the pack and towards the rail in a bid to get him settled.

While that tactic may well have worked, Galileo Gold had no answer when Buick began winding things up from the front and it was Lightning Spear who emerged to lay down a challenge.

Ribchester briefly looked vulnerable when drifting to the near-side rail, but found plenty to win by three and three-quarter lengths, with Breton Rock running on for a distant third.

It was a fourth Lockinge win in five years for Godolphin, but a first for both Fahey and Buick.

Sky Bet cut Ribchester to 7/4 from 11/4 for the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.

"That was a very impressive display from Ribchester and he looks the outstanding four-year-old miler in training on the back of it," said Sky Bet's Michael Shinners.

"We could be set for a fascinating clash with Guineas winner Churchill in something like the Sussex further down the line, but for now he has to head the betting for the Queen Anne.

"Galileo Gold was disappointing and is 8/1 from 5/1, although it was his first start of the season and having won at Royal Ascot last year, he could yet be a factor."

Reaction

William Buick said: "He's a very good horse, very versatile.

"Richard and his team at home have done a fantastic job with him.

"He's getting mentally better and physically stronger every day.

"If you are going to compete in these Group One races and be successful, you have to be the complete package.

"He's a horse I'm very, very happy to ride."

"It wasn't really Plan A," said trainer Richard Fahey. "In the end it's worked out well for us.

"It looked good today. He'd had the run - a lot of the horses hadn't had a run - so we were quite keen to make sure there was a decent gallop.

"Paul (Hanagan, aboard Toscanini) used his brains and kept out of it. That's why I never give instructions to jockeys. Plan A was to take a lead, it didn't happen, so Plan B - it worked out well.

"It's pure ability. I've been quoted before - this horse can go 0-35 in four strides. He's got a lot of speed, a Ferrari engine.

"He's won and everything's gone great."

Asked if the Queen Anne would be next, Fahey replied: "It looks every inch that we will go there."

He added: "It's (a race) you'd liked to watch again.

"I was quite nervous as it was a big day and we wanted him to perform.

"He (Toscanini) missed the kick but I always felt Ribchester could do something like that.

"Ribchester is mentally mature and he's physically getting better.

"We've always liked him. He's gone a bit lazy on me at home, but we are happy where he is now.

"It looks like we will go there (Queen Anne) but I won't say definitely as we've got to speak to John (Ferguson, Godolphin racing manager) and Sheikh Mohammed.

"We'll see how he comes out of this, but the Queen Anne looks likely.

"I've got to say he's the best horse I've ever trained."

Frankie Dettori, rider of fifth-placed Galileo Gold, said: "He didn't handle the ground, he didn't like it like in Ireland.

"He ran a bit fresh and I knew two out the writing was on the wall.

"It rained, it's just one of those things."

Click here to listen to Racing UK's interview with Richard Fahey via Soundcloud