15:35 Newbury

Saturday 15 May 2021

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Str)

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 1m 40.96s

(9)

Century Dream^t²¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 116| CD

18/1

Back to very best in 2020, winning Group 3 over C&D on return and easy success in soft-ground Goodwood Group 2. Vulnerable at this level but frame claims if ground is soft enough.

Form: 5/15159-

(1)

Happy Power²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 115| C| D

66/1

Had an excellent campaign last season, completing hat-trick in Group 2 (7f) at Newmarket. However, well held behind Palace Pier at Sandown on return and probably best at 7f.

Form: 41119-3

(11)

Lope Y Fernandez³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| D

11/2

Winless last term but placed in 4 Group 1s, including when third in Breeders' Cup Mile. Capitalised on drop in grade when easily landing odds at Leopardstown on return. Looks set for a good season.

Form: 23773-1

(4)

Lord Campari²⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 102| CD

50/1

Impressive winner of C&D novice on return last season but failed to progress in 2 runs after. Remains unexposed but this is a massive ask.

Form: 6/165-

(10)

Lord Glitters⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 115| D

33/1

Cracking servant to connections who enjoyed an excellent spell in Dubai this year, winning a Group 2 and Group 1. Others preferred for win purposes but could run into the frame if the pace is sound.

Form: 65-1316

(2)

My Oberon³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 113| D

14/1

Quickly progressed into a smart miler having made his debut in June and took form to another level when winning Group 3 in good style at Newmarket on return. Probably hasn't reached his ceiling yet.

Form: 51225-1

(8)

Palace Pier²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 125| BF| D

1/2

Top-class miler who won 2 Group 1s as a 3-y-o, namely St James's Palace at Royal Ascot and Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville. Impressive winner of Group 2 at Sandown on return and hard to beat.

Form: 1/1113-1

(12)

Pogo²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 112| D

66/1

Likeable sort who did well to beat race-fit rivals in listed race at Leicester on return but likely to find Palace Pier and co. a bit too much to handle.

Form: 31352-1

(6)

Safe Voyage¹⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 115| D

25/1

Very smart gelding who has been a credit to connections. Better than ever when winning 3 times last season, notably Group 2s at York and Leopardstown. Should be in the mix for the places.

Form: 141130-

(5)

Top Rank⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: J Tate| OR: 113| D

11/1

Lightly raced but very progressive, taking form to another level when winning Group 3 at Haydock (soft) in September. Defied a penalty in listed race at Doncaster on return and worth a shot at this.

Form: 1/1316-1

(3)

Lady Bowthorpe¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: W Jarvis| OR: 108| D

22/1

Smart and progressive mare who was a narrow winner of the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on return 2 weeks ago, but more needed taking on the males at this level.

Form: 64166-1

Non-Runners

(7)

Bless Him²²

Weight: 9-0| Age: 7

T: D M Simcock J: J P Spencer

Forecasts

Palace Pier (1/2), Lope Y Fernandez (11/2), Top Rank (11/1), My Oberon (14/1), Century Dream (18/1), Lady Bowthorpe (22/1), Safe Voyage (25/1), Lord Glitters (33/1), Lord Campari (50/1), Happy Power (66/1), Pogo (66/1), Bless Him (66/1)

PALACE PIER is Timeform's current highest-rated Flat horse in training so is hard to oppose having made an impressive winning return in the bet365 Mile at Sandown 3 weeks ago. Lope Y Fernandez went close at this level a few times last season and looks set for another good campaign judged on his comeback win at Leopardstown, while My Oberon looks most progressive and is worth a shot at this level.