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 chance at Newbury. He could be joined by Andre Fabre's Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}), who won the G3 Prix Edmond Blanc for the second year in succession at Saint-Cloud last time.
John and Thady Gosden won the 2021 edition of the Lockinge with Palace Pier (GB) and they could saddle up to three runners this year, including the six-time Group 1 winner Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), last seen winning the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita in November.
The potential challenge from Clarehaven Stables is completed by G3 Criterion S. winner Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) and the veteran Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who ran his usual sound race when finishing third in last week's G2 Sandown Mile, behind Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Poker Face (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), both of whom are also entered in the Lockinge.
Other entries of note include the placed horses from last year's G1 2,000 Guineas, Hi Royal (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), plus Elegant Man (Arrogate), who showed Group-class potential when winning defying top weight in a competitive handicap on All-Weather Finals Day at Newcastle.
The next confirmation stage is on Monday, May 13, when supplementary entries can also be made for a fee of £20,000.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
