Unlocking The Lockinge
With Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) out of the way, the European milers have a chance this term and the shape of Saturday’s G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury offers clear evidence of the open nature of the division. Topping the official ratings is Night of Thunder (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the only one to get the better of Kingman in 2014, who bids to provide Godolphin a sixth renewal. That defeat of the Juddmonte giant came under the uncanny guidance of Kieren Fallon in Newmarket’s G1 2000 Guineas and it is fact that in all four subsequent starts he failed to recapture his form under Richard Hughes and Ryan Moore. On the last of them, he was only a half-length second to Charm Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) after a troubled trip in Ascot’s G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on heavy ground on Champions Day with the other Richard Hannon trainee Toormore (Ire) (Arakan) the same margin back in third. Ironically, the 2013 G1 National S. winner Toormore was also partnered by Fallon and also had a far-from-ideal passage through the race but Hughes is on him this time with James Doyle required for the Godolphin runner. “With a record field of 18, we will all need luck in running, but our two are in great form and Thursday’s rain came as a bonus as the ground was getting a bit quick,” commented Hannon Jr, who took this 12 months ago to provide the stable with a third edition since 2010. “James [Doyle] had seen plenty of Night of Thunder last year, having had three scraps with him on Kingman, but the horse has filled out through the winter and, though he will improve for his first run, he has done plenty of work and is fit enough to make them all go.”
Holding the record of winners in this race is Sir Michael Stoute with seven and four of those have come for Cheveley Park Stud, including with the distaffers Russian Rhythm (Kingmambo) and Peeress (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). They combine again here with another mare in Integral (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), who was seventh taking on the colts in the QEII but who had previously won the G1 Falmouth S. and Sun Chariot S. at Newmarket in July and September. Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, told PA Sport, “She seems in good order and has wintered well. Obviously, it is a tough ask taking on some strong colts. She goes on any ground and it is a nice starting point for her. Sir Michael Stoute had always had this race as the target for her and from it we will work out which way go for Royal Ascot.”
One who has yet to show his true ability in this territory is Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s Moohaarib (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), but he caught the eye and the imagination when winning Ascot’s Listed Paradise S. as he liked Apr. 26. “We were a little surprised at Ascot because the ground was very fast that day and all the jockeys that have rode him said he wants a bit of cut,” trainer Marco Botti said. “You would have to be impressed with the way he won and he is improving all the time. He has got a pedigree that suggests he will get better with time and he is in great order at the moment.”
There to test the mettle of his rivals is the admirable Custom Cut (Ire) (Notnowcato {GB}), who has now won four of his last five starts in pattern company including Newmarket’s G2 Joel S. in September and the Apr. 24 G2 Sandown Mile on his seasonal bow. Another to disappoint in the QEII when only eighth, the 6-year-old deserves another tilt at the top level. Second behind Custom Cut at Sandown was Fitri Hay’s Here Comes When (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and trainer Andrew Balding definitely wants the ground to ease for last year’s G2 Challenge S. winner and also last year’s runner-up Tullius (Ire) (Le Vie dei Colori {GB}). “I think Here Comes When is an overlooked horse,” he explained. “He has twice won at Group 2 level and ran a good trial when second on his reappearance at Sandown last month. He can take a grip in his races and any rain will help. Any rain will also help Tullius. I think they are two lively outsiders.”