Bank on Baaeed to live up to star billing
Baaeed looks banker material as William Haggas’ star miler makes his return in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury tomorrow.
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 last season and steadily progressed through the ranks, finishing the campaign at the top table and lowering the colours of Palace Pier in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.
Mother Earth and Alcohol Free were among Baaeed’s beaten rivals in that British Champions Day contest and have a 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 Bet Victor Car-n arvonS takes with 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-to-back victories in the Group Three Al Rayyan Stakes.
The penny finally dropped for Mar soul 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.
Brock les by winner Persian Force could give Richard H an non further success on the card when he runs in the BetVictor Conditions Stakes. He has a smartly-bred newcomer from Aidan O’Brien’s powerhouse Ballydoyle base and a course winner to take on, but the form of his Doncaster win has been franked in style by both the second and third since.
Do not be surprised to see Nashwa throw her hat into the Oaks picture when she steps up to 10 furlongs in the Haras De Bouquetot Fillies’ Trial Stakes. The Frankel filly was a taking winner at Haydock last time and John Gosden’s grasp on the Epsom Classic could be tightened if Nashwa obliges in this Listed contest.
At Newmarket, Andrew Balding’s Groundbreaker can get the day off to a winning start by following up his four-length Doncaster victory in the Denbury Homes Fairway Stakes. The Oasis Dream colt holds an entry in the King Edwards VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and this Listed event looks the perfect stepping stone to that Group Two contest with opposition thin on the ground.