Ribchester set for big future

Ribchester set himself up for a big season ahead with a superb victory in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

William Buick – who is set to appeal the five-day riding ban that rules him out of the Derby meeting at Epsom – made all the running in the Group One over the straight mile after intended pacemaker Toscanini was slowly away. Ribchester kept finding more in front and the 7-4 favourite maintained a strong gallop to score by three and three-quarter lengths from Lightning Spear.

Trainer Richard Fahey said: “We’ll see how he comes out of this, but the Queen Anne [Royal Ascot] looks likely. If we could get his mind right we always felt he’d be special. I’ve got to say he’s the best horse I’ve trained.”

Buick enjoyed a Group-race double thanks to last year’s Eclipse hero Hawkbill, who bounced back to his best with a comprehensive victory in the Al Rayyan Stakes.

Natavia (9-4) also enjoyed the conditions and looked an animal of some potential after her emphatic display in the Listed Haras De Bouquetot Fillies’ Trial. Such was her authority, she was cut to around 14-1 for the Investec Oaks.

Yesterday was all about Aidan O’brien’s Caravaggio at Naas, as the one-time Classic contender won on his comeback in the EMS Copiers Lacken Stakes. The 8-15 favourite shot clear under Ryan Moore in the final furlong to win by four and three-quarter lengths from Psychedelic Funk, despite being off the track for 287 days.