NEWBURY stages the first Group One mile race for older horses this Saturday in the shape of the Lockinge Stakes.  Some illustrious individuals have won this race over the years including Rakti, Russian Rhythm, Hawk Wing and Cape Cross.  Twelve line up aiming to add their names to this roll of honour and Tariq looks a likely candidate.  Peter Chapple-Hyam’s son of Kyllachy turned in a very good performance when winning the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood last season before floundering on soft ground in France on his final start.  The majority of his runs have been over seven furlongs so far but his pedigree gives him a chance of staying the distance in this race.  With the regular gallops he’s been doing he should be plenty fit enough for his reappearance and the yard had a timely winner at Newbury today.  The fifth race on the Newbury card is a valuable six-furlong race that features a host of progressive sprinters.  The most likely winners look to be at the top of the handicap and these include the Chris Wall-trained Royal Rock.  The son of top sire Sakhee has won four of his eight lifetime starts and turned in a striking performance at Yarmouth on his reappearance.  He had beaten some useful sorts as a three-year-old before finding the ground too firm on his final start.  The going at Newbury (currently good) should be ideal and he hopefully has the class to defy his hefty weight and claim the prize for connections.

Selections – 2.45 Newbury, 10 Tariq

                                                                    3.55 Newbury, 2 Royal Rock