Moohaarib can unlock big prize
THREE of the first four in the market for today’s fascinating Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury make their seasonal reappearances, leaving backers in the dark with regard to expectations for Night Of Thunder, Toormore and Integral.
All of the trio boast the form to land this celebrated Group One event, but the fact none of them have been seen since finishing runner- up, third and seventh respectively to Charm Spirit in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot last October makes the race tough to predict.
Any further rain would play to the strengths of Night Of Thunder, who was the only horse to beat the mighty Kingman when obliging in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas last year.
He is reported to be going well in preparation for this and the Richard Hannon-trained Paco Boy and Canford Cliffs both won the Lockinge en route to Royal Ascot, which will no doubt be the longterm plan. Stablemate Toormore was a disappointment in the Guineas when seventh and never lived up to the hype which surrounded his juvenile campaign.
This season represents a big one
1.25
for the son of Arakan, as it does Integral, who boasts a better strike rate than her rival and she also goes well following a break.
Sir Michael Stoute has begun to have high-profile first-time- out winners and Integral was only beaten a head on her reappearance last term so is highly respected.
For those keen to side with a horse with proven race fitness, there are two clear candidates — Custom Cut and MOOHAARIB (Ascot, 3.45).
The former has made outstanding progress in the last 18 months since joining David O’Meara and is handily drawn in stall two. Arguably, the six-year-old would prefer softer ground so the nod goes to the progressive Moohaarib, who was an unfortunate third in the Lincoln prior to beating Hors De Combat with ease at Ascot last time.
The selection, trained by Marco Botti, has always been a talented colt, but his temperament was suspect. However, if that Ascot performance was a barometer for his state of mind then the son of Oasis Dream could be ready to launch himself on to the big stage as he moved through the race with rare class before quickening clear to score impressively.
This afternoon’s contest requires another huge step forward, but his change of gear may prove the decisive attribute. At his attractive morning odds, he i s worth a chance.