*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Newbury stages the first Group 1 of the season for older horses as Modern Games bids for Lockinge Stakes success.
A four-time winner at the top level overseas, the Godolphin colt has been drawn in Stall 13 and faces competition from the likes of last year’s Champion Stakes third My Prospero, bet365 Mile winner Mutasaabeq and Jacques le Marois second Light Infantry.
Frankie Dettori takes the ride on Laurel and the jockey will equal Lester Piggot’s record of six victories in the Lockinge Stakes if the Kingsman filly is successful.
The latest Lockinge Stakes odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Lockinge Stakes tips
Timeform: A competitive renewal on ratings but MODERN GAMES is the only runner to have won at the highest level (4 times) and he was rather unlucky not to add to his tally at Keeneland 5 weeks ago. He looks the most solid option and can provide Godolphin with a ninth success. Exciting-filly Laurel has the most potential in the field so rates the biggest threat ahead of Mutasaabeq, who has responded very well to blinkers.
Lockinge Stakes runners
Berkshire Shadow
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7
Smart performer who made it 2 from 2 on the AW this year in valuable event at Newcastle 6 weeks ago but firmly up against it back at this level on return to turf.
**
Checkandchallenge
Trainer: William Knight Jockey: Andrea Atzeni Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 2
Smart colt. Won a 1m Group 3 at Deauville last summer. Good 2½ lengths fourth in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot final 3-y-o start. Shaped as needing the run when 5¼ lengths fourth of 5 to Mutasaabeq at Newmarket on return but likely to find a few too good once again at this level.
***
Chindit
Trainer: Richard Hannon Jockey: Pat Dobbs Age: 5 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 6
Landed the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot last year and looked as good as ever when taking advantage of drop in class in listed race there on return. Good third in this last season, albeit proving no match for Baaeed. Making the frame probably the best he can hope for once again.
***
Jadoomi
Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford Jockey: James Doyle Age: 5 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 1
Low-mileage 5-y-o who made up for lost time last season, completing hat-trick in Group 2 Boomerang Stakes at Leopardstown (1m) in September, making all by 4 lengths. Reportedly finished lame when excellent third in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on final start. Much respected.
****
Jumby
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton Jockey: Charles Bishop Age: 5 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 4
Smart performer at 6f/7f who gained a fifth career success in the Hungerford Stakes here (7f) in August. Failed to land a meaningful blow on his last 4 starts, however, typically slowly away at Newmarket on return. Plenty to find at this level with stamina not assured.
*
Light Infantry
Trainer: David Simcock Jockey: Jamie Spencer Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 11
Runner-up twice at Group 1 level in France last summer, including pushing Inspiral close in the Prix Jacques le Marois. Claims on that form and should prove sharper for his comeback run at Newmarket (3 lengths behind the penalised Mutasaabeq). Not taken lightly.
****
Lusail
Trainer: Richard Hannon Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 9
Dual Group 2 winner over 6f at 2 yrs, including the Gimcrack at York. Winless since for all he has proved consistent, length fourth of 5 to Chindit in listed race at Ascot (8f, good) 17 days ago. Easy to look elsewhere.
***
Modern Games
Trainer: Charlie Appleby Jockey: William Buick Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 13
Four-time international Grade/Group 1 winner, including 3 last season, namely French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp, Woodbine Mile in Canada and Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland. Left with too much to do when runner-up in Grade 1 at Keeneland on return last month and good chance he can make amends here.
*****
Mutasaabeq
Trainer: Charles Hills Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 5 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 3
Very smart miler who is 2 from 2 in this headgear (made all), namely Joel Stakes on final 4-y-o start and bet 365 Mile on return, both Group 2s at Newmarket. Well worth another shot at this level.
****
My Prospero
Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 12
High-class colt who signed off last season with an excellent second to Bay Bridge in the Champion Stakes at Ascot. Form pick on that effort and should make a better 4-y-o but this trip is short of his optimum.
****
The Wizard Of Eye
Trainer: J. S. Moore Jockey: Kieran Shoemark Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 8
Useful colt but will find this company far too demanding.
*
Triple Time
Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Neil Callan Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 10
Progressive at 2 yrs and produced a smart performance when completing hat-trick in Group 3 at Haydock (1m) on belated return in September. Excuses at Longchamp following month and remains unexposed, but this is a tough ask.
**
Laurel
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Frankie Dettori Age: 4 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 5
Well-regarded filly who easily won her first 2 starts in novices before running a massive race on only her third career start when runner-up in Sun Chariot at Newmarket, just her lack of experience costing her victory. Comfortably landed odds in listed race at Kempton on return and has more to come.
****
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- An 8/1 play leads the way in our horse racing tips for Saturday
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for Newbury and Newmarket on Saturday
- Jason Weaver’s ITV Racing tips for Saturday at Newbury and Newmarket
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