Surprised Notable Speech is not Lockinge favourite

Newbury | Race 2: Listed Fillies' Trial Stakes

I don’t know a great deal about ESNA, but she has some solid form from last year, notably finishing fourth in the Prix Marcel Boussac behind Diamond Necklace. That filly won the French Guineas nicely last weekend, so that looks like a good piece of form.

She’s had the one run back, staying on okay in the finish that day and you’d expect her to take a step forward from that.

She’s out of a Galileo mare, so will hopefully be effective on her second start at this trip. It’s a nice ride to pick up.

Newbury | Race 3: G1 Lockinge Stakes

THE LION IN WINTER was always playing catch-up last season. He started off in the Dante and went on to the Derby, but that didn’t work out for him, and he’s been on a bit of a retrieval mission ever since.

He won nicely on his reappearance at Leopardstown. It was good to get his head back in front and I think he’s come forward for that run.

He’ll have to step up again given this is a good Group 1 contest, but I think the trip, track and ground will all suit him. He should put up a good performance with cheekpieces on for the first time.

Notable Speech is the best horse in the race on everything we know. He’s the most proven at the top level as a Guineas and Breeders’ Cup winner, Newbury will suit him well and I’m surprised he’s not favourite.

Damysus won a nice race over nine furlongs (1800m) at the Craven Meeting and had previously won the Darley Stakes at the end of last year, also over that course and distance.

He’s coming back to a mile (1600m) here, which shouldn’t be a negative as he’s looked like more of a mile horse than a mile-and-a-quarter (2000m) horse. He’s progressive and it will be interesting to see how he shapes up.

Zeus Olympios is a four-year-old having just his sixth start and is obviously interesting. He lost his unbeaten record on his reappearance at Sandown last month but was in need of the run and conditions didn’t really play to his strengths that day. Newbury will suit him and he has to be respected.

Newbury | Race 4: Listed Carnarvon Stakes

The hood comes off ALBERT EINSTEIN as he comes back down in trip. He had a good run in the Greenham over seven furlongs (1400m) finishing third and I’m expecting an improved performance back down at six.

Godolphin’s Wise Approach was a bit disappointing on his comeback run, but that was a messy race and he has a good level of form, having won the Middle Park last year.

Karl Burke’s filly, Royal Fixation, is probably the one to beat at the weights. She gets weight from all of us and has some very good form from last year, when she was placed in the Cheveley Park behind subsequent 1,000 Guineas winner True Love and won the Lowther. She’s probably the one we need to give most thought to.

Newbury | Race 5: London Gold Cup

PORT OF SPAIN remains unexposed but still has to concede weight to most and plenty in here will be hoping they’ve got a bit in hand.

He had a few runs last year in good company and now steps down in grade for his reappearance, but this race is always very competitive, and you often see good middle distance horses emerge from it.

In time he could be suited by a little bit further and possibly slower ground, but it will be nice to get him started and he should run well.