G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S.

As expected, Cheveley Park Stud's colours were in the winner's enclosure following Newbury's G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. on Saturday but it was aboard the Gosdens' 22-1 shot Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}--Ladyship {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) who uber-excelled in his task of pacemaking for Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Labelled a TDN Rising Star at two, the homebred grandson of the Thompsons' 2006 Lockinge heroine Peeress (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) had shown what he could do when left alone on the lead with ample space to express himself in last year's G3 Criterion...

Saturday sees the return of the sensational G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. winner Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) in Newbury's G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S., where it is a case of in at the deep end for the trainer if not for the colt in question. While Yeguada Centurion's 4-year-old has obviously been there and has the t-shirt, new handler Maurizio Guarnieri is in maiden territory with the powerhouse who so memorably destroyed the subsequent G1 Dubai Turf winner Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) by six lengths on...

Following Monday's confirmation stage, Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) remain on course for a blockbuster clash in Saturday's G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury. Of the 11 possible runners, Big Rock and Inspiral are the only two who have previously been successful at the top level. Big Rock--who will be having his first start for Maurizio Guarnieri having recently left Christopher Head's Chantilly yard--made the breakthrough in Group 1 company when winning the Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot on his final...

Following the latest scratching stage, last year's G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. winner Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) is one of 15 horses who have stood their ground for the £400,000 G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury on Saturday, May 18, potentially his first start for Maurizio Guarnieri having left Christopher Head's Chantilly yard last week. A French-trained horse hasn't won the Lockinge since Keltos (Fr) struck for Carlos Laffon-Parias in 2002, but Big Rock will certainly bring leading form claims to the table if taking his...

A new Hong Kong Garden will be in place at Newbury Racecourse when the track hosts five World Pool races on Saturday, May 18, including the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. which headlines the fixture. The Hong Kong Garden will offer themed food and drink, plus a range of entertainment including live performances from Albert Chau, the inaugural winner of Midlife, Sing and Shine, a talent competition run on terrestrial TV in Hong Kong. Mark Leigh, interim CEO at Newbury Racecourse, said, "We're thrilled to introduce the new Hong Kong...

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, has issued a positive bulletin on star mare Inspiral (GB) as she prepares to embark on her five-year-old campaign. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Inspiral was last seen running out an impressive winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita in November, her third top-level success of the season having already won the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville for the second year in a row and the Sun Chariot S. at Newmarket. The daughter of...

Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) is one of the star names among 21 entries for the £400,000 G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury on Saturday, May 18. Trained by Christopher Head, Big Rock ended his three-year-old campaign with an emphatic six-length win in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot in October, finally making the breakthrough at the top level following a hat-trick of runner-up finishes. He could be joined at Newbury by Andre Fabre's Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}), who won the G3 Prix Edmond Blanc...

Successful at the elite level at two Breeders' Cups, in a Poule d'Essai des Poulains and a Woodbine Mile, Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}--Modern Ideals {GB}, by New Approach {Ire}) finally did it in the UK as he swooped to dominate Saturday's G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury. Drawn on the extreme towards the stands' rail, the 3-1 favourite was in the right place if the preceding London Gold Cup was anything to go by and William Buick was able to enjoy the perfect draft behind My Prospero (Ire)...

Godolphin's superstar Australian runner Anamoe (Aus) (Street Boss) is one of 30 nominees at the latest entry stage for the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. on Saturday, May 20, Newbury Racecourse revealed on Tuesday. A nine-time Group 1 winner Down Under, the bay won the G1 George Ryder in mid-March last out, part of a three-race winning streak from seven furlongs to one mile, which began in the G2 Apollo S. in February and continued in the G1 Chipping Norton S. later that month. He drew post eight in Saturday's...

John and Thady Gosden's Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) will possibly return in Epsom's G1 Coronation Cup June 2 as her first start since capturing the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. Oct. 15. She was initially set to return in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan but missed the opportunity having not come to hand as quickly as liked and returns to Epsom after being narrowly denied when sent off the 6-4 favourite for the Oaks at the Surrey venue last year. "She ran a...