15:40 Newbury

Saturday 19 May 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5017:25

Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (Group 1) (Str)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 1m 35.07s

(12)

Accidental Agent¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 109| BF

66/1

Won a valuable handicap at Ascot last year but has struggled in Listed company since and hard to see him landing a blow at this level.

Form: 12148-3

(16)

Addeybb²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 117| D

7/2

Could hardly have won the Lincoln in more impressive fashion on his return to action at Doncaster this year. Landed a Group 2 with the minimum of fuss at Sandown last time and while he's yet to race on better ground than good, he may improve for it.

Form: 1131-11

(15)

Alexios Komnenos²⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 107| D

25/1

Group 3 winner at Leopardstown last year but that form hasn't proved to be strong and he was unplaced in a Group 2 when last seen. More needed here on return.

Form: 12/316-

(9)

Beat The Bank²¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: A M Balding| OR: 118| D

10/1

Highly progressive last year and it may have been one run too many at the end of the season on Champions' Day at Ascot. Looks like an out and out miler and he's respectable on return back on better ground.

Form: 101110-

(3)

Deauville^p³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 119| BF

16/1

In fine form throughout most of last season, winning a Group 3 at Chester and placing in a couple of Group 1 races subsequently. Failed to justify favouritism at Newmarket on return in a Group 3 though and down the order on jockey bookings.

Form: 32300-2

(10)

Dutch Connection²¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Spencer| T: C Hills| OR: 112

50/1

Multiple Group race winner but largely struggles up at this level and only win last year came in Group 3 company. Fast ground up his street but likely to find a few too good.

Form: 0/6616P-

(5)

Lancaster Bomber⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117

10/1

Not won since landing a maiden on his second start but largely campaigned at the top level in that time and placed in several Group 1 races and in the Breeders' Cup. Well suited to fast ground and has place claims here.

Form: 62025-0

(7)

Lightning Spear¹⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D M Simcock| OR: 115| D

16/1

Justified favouritism in a below par Group 2 at Goodwood last year but well beaten in three subsequent Group 1 outings including at Sha Tin last time out. Career best needed.

Form: 731660-

(11)

Limato²¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Bentley| T: H Candy| OR: 119| C

9/2

Two-time Group 1 winner but hasn't always looked quite as effective over the mile, as seen when finishing fourth in this race in 2016 having gone off favourite. Produced a fine effort to win a Group 2 at Newmarket last time and place claims here.

Form: 6/03241-

(1)

Suedois¹⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 116| D

25/1

Belatedly got his head in front for this yard when a Group 2 winner at Leopardstown in September and followed up with a career best in a Grade 1 at Keeneland. Loves fast ground and a fascinating runner if ready on return.

Form: 733114-

(13)

War Decree⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P B Beggy| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110

40/1

Group 3 winner at Dundalk and best effort since when placed in a Group 2 at Chester last week. More on his plate here though and has struggled at this level in the past. Down the order on jockey bookings.

Form: 5190-92

(6)

Zabeel Prince⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 109| D

12/1

Justified favouritsm in Listed class on return at the Lincoln meeting, making it four wins from his last five starts. Clearly progressive but may have wanted some rain to be seen to best effect.

Form: 2/1110-1

(8)

Zonderland²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 112| D

25/1

Placed twice behind Lightning Spear in consecutive renewals of the Celebration Mile and was a Group 3 winner in 2016. Clearly not the easiest to train though and yet to prove he's up to this level.

Form: 1812/28-

(2)

Rhododendron²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 116| D

10/3

Placed in the 1,000 Guineas before a second to Enable in the Epsom Oaks. Went on to gain her second Group 1 success at Chantilly later in the year and while no match for Cracksman on reappearance, she's an interesting runner back at this trip.

Form: 2P712-4

Non-Runners

(14)

Lahore²¹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: C G Cox J: S De Sousa

(4)

Librisa Breeze⁴⁹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 6

T: D K Ivory J: R Winston

Forecasts

Rhododendron (10/3), Addeybb (7/2), Limato (9/2), Lancaster Bomber (10/1), Beat The Bank (10/1), Zabeel Prince (12/1), Lightning Spear (16/1), Deauville (16/1), Librisa Breeze (16/1), Suedois (25/1), Alexios Komnenos (25/1), Zonderland (25/1), War Decree (40/1), Dutch Connection (50/1), Accidental Agent (66/1), Lahore (66/1)

ADDEYBB looks highly progressive and can take this step up in his stride after winning a Group 2 in fine fashion at Sandown last time. Rhododendron is a classy filly who placed in two Classics last year and she's an interesting runner if she copes with the drop back in trip. Suedois could be the each-way angle in to the race with the way he finished last season, though he will need a good pace to aim at.