Lockinge Day at Newbury is always a late spring highlight and ITV are showing four live races from the Berkshire track on Saturday. Here we look at that Group 1 and a couple of other key races on the weekend’s ITV card, and hopefully some winners our Saturday racing tips.
1.50 Newbury – Aston Park Stakes
Desert Hero is the correct favourite for the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes that opens ITV’s coverage. He was third in the St Leger last season and almost won over an inadequate 1m2f at Sandown on his return. However, preferred is SALT BAY (1.50).
Desert Hero was beaten off a mark of 94 in the London Gold Cup on this card last season (his only start at Newbury), whereas Salt Bay is establishing himself as a course specialist. He went close here off a mark of 105 last autumn and shaped encouragingly on his return in the John Porter.
That race turned into a dash for home and Salt Bay was poorly positioned as events unfolded. Considering Ralph Beckett’s horses weren’t firing at that time, it was a solid effort from Salt Bay to go down by only a neck from serial winner Hamish. He should get the cut in the ground he needs and can take this en route to better things.
3.00 Newbury – London Gold Cup
This three-year-old handicap has a superb record at unearthing a future star or two. The top yards are well represented, as you can imagine, but perhaps SPIRIT OF ACCLAIM (3.00) can spoil the party for Michael and David Easterby, who are happy to send Joanna Mason to Newbury for only one ride aboard this guy.
Spirit Of Acklam was an eyecatcher in the Convivial Maiden at York on his debut last term and has scored twice in good style since, showing a good attitude in the process.
The son of Cracksman is sure to rate higher than a mark of 80 in time and will appreciate any rain that hits Newbury. It looks significant that his trainers are sending him south for this famous prize rather than taking in a softer target.
3.35 Newbury – Lockinge Stakes
The Lockinge Stakes betting is dominated by Inspiral and Big Rock, but these two are returning from layoffs and I’m against them at the prices.
It is tricky to win Group 1s first time out and Inspiral won’t get her ideal conditions, while Big Rock seems certain to come on for the outing amidst a stable switch which is hardly an ideal big-race prep.
POKER FACE (3.35) appeals as the solid each-way play for Simon and Ed Crisford. He produced a fine effort on his return at Sandown under a 3lb penalty to tee himself up for this and that will have put him right. I’d expect him to reverse form with the race-fit Charyn on 3lb better terms from that.
He stays further, so can benefit from the likely strong pace set-up in this, and looks a Group 1 winner waiting to happen with the ground sure to be to his liking.
By Adam Scriven
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