Baaeed appears to be a banker in Lockinge

BAAEED looks banker material as William Haggas’ star miler makes his return in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury this afternoon.

There is a strong argument that this is the best Flat horse in training, and the unbeaten four-year-old looks to pick up his third successive Group One prize in this one-mile contest, before a likely assignment in the Queen Anne Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot.

Unraced at two, the Sea The Stars colt made an immediate impact on track in the last campaign, steadily progressed through the ranks, and finishing the year at the top table when lowering the colours of Palace Pier in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Mother Earth and Alcohol Free were both among Baaeed’s beaten rivals in that British Champions Day contest and have a stiff task on their hands to turn the tables here, while it is hard to see any of the other runners engaged taking the scalp of Baaeed’s unbeaten record.

Haggas also has a strong hand in the BetVictor Carnarvon Stakes with Newcastle runner-up Tiber Flow, while course-and-distance scorer Ilaraab could build on his recent return in the John Porter to give the Somerville Lodge master back-toback victories in the Group Three Al Rayyan Stakes.

Meanwhile, the penny finally dropped for Marsoul when downing the well-regarded New Dimension to shed his maiden tag at Nottingham and he is an interesting runner stepping up in trip in the BetVictor London Gold Cup Handicap.

He cruised into contention in the manner of a good horse at Colwick Park and showed a willing attitude to keep finding more when challenged at the finish. The Shalaa colt was not stopping at the line there and could prove well treated on his handicap bow off a mark of 84.

Brocklesby winner Persian Force could give Richard Hannon further success on the card when he runs in the BetVictor Conditions Stakes.

Tim Goode/PA > Baaeed runs in the Lockinge