Lockinge Stakes 2014

3.50 Newbury

JLT Lockinge Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Str) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £121,359

Advice: 4 pts win Olympic Glory (10/11 general)

Chopin: Deeply impressive win over 9 furlongs at Kerfield saw him given his chance in the Derby but maybe didn’t stay there although disappointing at Royal Ascot; Reappearance second in 1m Group 3 at Dussseldorf was a decent reappearance although may want more.

Empire Storm: A useful horse, as his German form shows, and best over this trip as efforts like his second to Shruq shows but this looks to be too good for him here.

Montiridge: Quickly made up into a very useful miler last season, following up his second at Royal Ascot with smooth wins in mile contests at Newmarket and Goodwood; Not himself when well behind Top Notch Tonto although seemed beaten fair and square in Joel Stakes; Needed the run on return and soft ground not to his liking either but does need to improve markedly on 3yo form; Not out of reckoning that he can do so but the right price now.

Olympic Glory: Season had threatened to become frustrating but everything came together for him in QEII at Ascot when nothing could live with him in the testing ground off a strong pace (Top Notch Tonto second); Best to forget his Breeders’ Cup Mile effort

Sruthan: Hasn’t had a whole lot of racing, especially at 1m, and after beating Big Break at backend of last season he again showed smart turn of foot to land Gladness Stakes at Curragh latest; Form of that stacks up well although more is sure to be needed here.

Top Notch Tonto: Superb season ended in the best possible fashion when he was second in QEII but couldn’t live with Olympic Glory that day; Needed reappearance and can be better today but hard to see him reversing form with front two from that encounter and more needed.

Tullius: Always been useful but two of career best efforts this season, second in Lincolin second followed by clear cut win in Bet365 Mile when three and a half lengths clear of Monteridge; That form likely to be tested on this much better ground today but deserves his own chance here.

Verrazano: Top class 3yo last year, landing 6 of his 10 contests including Wood Memorial and Haskell Invitational, drawing clear in astonishing style for latter victory although not seen at his best when taken on early; Fascinating addition to O’Brien team with peak form giving him a fine chance, although this first run on turf and seasonal debut; Stable have had other fine imports not seen at best here so questions but undoubted talent.

VERDICT: OLYMPIC GLORY’S romp in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot was one of three successes on testing ground but his best ever effort, when chasing home Moonlight Cloud in a fantastic Jacques Le Marois, and back on the straight mile after being massively unsuited by the tight turns of Santa Anita amongst other things, he is the one to beat. The presence of Haskell Invitational winner Verrazano is a great boost to the race and his first run for Ballydoyle is eagerly anticipated, although like many of his stablemate, he may be better for the experience and we don’t know how he’ll hand the turf. Monteridge, back on fast ground, may be better equipped to this fast ground than Tulius and reverse form, but whether he constitutes value at 6/1 is now debatable.