Lockinge Stakes odds: Big Rock bids to strike for France

A field of 11 runners were declared for the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday afternoon, with French ace Big Rock and UK-based mare Inspiral jostling for favouritism.

Big Rock is the sole international challenger in the line-up and returns to the track for the first time since recording a stunning six-length win in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on British Champion Day in October.

Inspiral, six times a winner at Group 1 level, is also making her seasonal bow and has a splendid record when fresh, but connections will be hoping the rain steers clear of Newbury.

The Lockinge has been won by the likes of Canford Cliffs, Frankel, Night Of Thunder, Ribchester, Palace Pier and Baaeed in the relatively recent past and another big name may be added to the roll of honour now.

Keltos in 2002 for Carlos Laffon-Parias and Olivier Peslier was the last French-trained winner – can Big Rock strike for the raiding party

Lockinge Stakes odds

Audience

One of two runners for John & Thady Gosden, Audience won the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at Newmarket on his seasonal bow last July and was pretty consistent in four runs afterwards in Group 2 company at 7f on various ground conditions.

This is his first time in elite company, his first run at the mile trip and he's a 50/1 chance under Rab Havlin.

Big Rock

The ultra-impressive winner of the QEII at Ascot on Champions Day, Big Rock torched his rivals by six-lengths that afternoon in soft conditions. He's moved to new handler Maurizio Guarnieri over the winter and goes well fresh.

He was beaten into second by Inspiral in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville last summer and is 9/4 to exact some revenge now.

Charyn

Roger Varian's Charyn has already won both starts this season including the Group 2 bet365 Mile at Sandown last month in good style from the re-opposing Poker Face. He looks to be in flying form but must prove he can translate that form into Group 1 company now.

With in-form Silvestre de Sousa on board he is trading at 9/2.

Dear My Friend

Charlie Johnston's runner only has a couple of novice wins to show on turf and is, so far, a batter performer on synthetic surfaces. He's won 3-4 on the all-weather since a wind op over the winter and is now rated 113. A career-best is demanded if he is to defy odds of 66/1.

Flight Plan

Night Of Thunder colt represents trainer Karl Burke and beat Poker Face in a Listed contest at Pontefract last season over a mile. He signed off by winning the Group 2 Park Stakes at Leopardstown and the low-mileage four-year-old is open to further progress at odds of 25/1.

Hi Royal

Kevin Ryan's Kodiac colt has just one turf win in nine but he was second in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last season and third in the Irish version at the Curragh. Lost his way after, possibly with soft ground against him, and comeback post wind surgery in a Newmarket Group 3 was positive.

Ryan Moore has a fine record when riding for this stable and partners the 40/1 chance.

Poker Face

Simon & Ed Crisford's gelding is 5-10 on turf, progressing last season as he signed off with Group-race wins in France on his last two starts. Overhauled late on by Charyn in the bet365 Mile at Sandown on comeback in first-time cheekpieces and is a 13/2 chance to score here under James Doyle.

Real World

Now seven-years-old and would be a latecomer in terms of becoming a Group 1 winner. Race-fit after spring campaign in Dubai and bids to give Godolphin a record-extending 10th win. Oisin Murphy rides for Saeed bin Suroor and he's 28/1.

Royal Scotsman

Gleneagles colt was a smart juvenile and placed in the 2000 Guineas on comeback last season. Two further runs in Group 1 company at the Curragh and Royal Ascot saw a drop off in form but it remains early days and he is one to note for Paul & Oliver Cole at odds of 12/1 on first start in 333 days.

Witch Hunter

Exposed runner for Richard Hannon. Career highlight when winning the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at this course over 7f (good to soft) last season but safely held in two runs this campaign, including behind some of these at Sandown, and has it all on to defy odds of 50/1 under Sean Levey.

Inspiral

Prolific daughter of Frankel goes for her seventh win at Group 1 level with top successes in Britain, France and North America on her CV. Excellent record when fresh and if connections feel ground conditions are favourable she looks a major player with new pilot Kieran Shoemark taking over Frankie Dettori.

She is a 2/1 chance for Team Gosden and Cheveley Park Stud.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.