SAAB TO MOTOR HOME
RELY on ‘lucky’ Jim Crowley to deliver another victory for Shadwell in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes on the progressive MUTASAABEQ (3.35, nb) at Newbury today.
Crowley landed the Group One prize 12 months ago on Baaeed and was also successful four years ago on Mustashry.
The five-year-old Mutasaabeq is on an upward trajectory, his performances transformed by the application of blinkers.
He won the Joel Stakes last September and trounced Native Trail to win the bet365 Mile at Newmarket under a penalty.
He has earned his first start in Group One company and can capture the prize for Charlie Hills, whose father Barry won the race in 1982 and 1984.
Charlie Appleby saddles dual Breeders’ Cup winner Modern Games in the Lockinge, but should enjoy more success in the earlier races.
NOBLE STYLE (1.50) can kick off the Godolphin stable’s afternoon in the opening Listed race on his return to sprints. The colt, unbeaten last year, found a mile beyond him in the 2,000 Guineas but still managed to finish sixth.
His team will have one eye on the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and he can book his place in the field.
YIBIR (2.25), winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf in 2021, is another international star looking to get his
2023 campaign under way. He is the headline act in the Al Rayyan Stakes.A comfortable winner of the Princess ofWales’s Stakes when last seen in July, he should be similarly dominant at Newbury.
BOLD ACT (3.00), a beaten favourite in Listed company last time, can make the most of a return to handicaps in the London Gold Cup.
He beat Brave Emperor, now a Group Three winner, and Dante sixth Killybegs Warrior in April.
GULMARG (2.05) can land the three-year-old 1m handicap at Newmarket under hot apprentice Harry Davies.
EMINENCY (2.40) suffered repeated interference at Kempton last month and can enjoy better luck at Newmarket.
POWERDRESS (3.15) finished a tailed-off last in the 1,000 Guineas, but on her previous start finished ahead of eventual 2,000 Guineas runner-up Hi Royal.
In the calmer waters of a 7f handicap, she can show her true form.