Russian Rhythm and Refuse To Bend renew clash
Classic winners Russian Rhythm and Refuse To Bend clash in a fascinating renewal of the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury tomorrow.
However, connections of Russian Rhythm have warned that the filly needs the ground to dry up if she is to justify her position as market leader on her seasonal debut in the one-mile Group One contest.
Although last year’s 1000 Guineas winner has shown that she runs well fresh, she is not in her element on easy conditions and the going at Newbury is currently described as good, good to soft in places.
But with the weather set fair, the course is expected to dry up further before big-race time at 2.40pm.
Michael Stoute’s charge, who landed the fillies’ Classic on her reappearance last season, is a general 2-1 chance.
Chris Richardson, racing manager to owners the Cheveley Park Stud, said: “This has always been the target in order to get her up and running, and she showed last year when winning the 1000 Guineas that she goes well fresh.
“Sir Michael wanted to let her come in her own time and she’s been working satisfactorily, but I would have preferred it if the ground had been quicker and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it stays dry over the next 24 hours in order for it to dry out.
“It’s nice to see Sir Michael having a few winners this week and let’s hope that’s a good omen for her.”
Refuse To Bend is one of three runners for the powerful Godolphin team and last year’s 2000 Guineas winner looks to be the Dubai operation’s number one contender, with Frankie Dettori aboard.
Firebreak (Kerrin McEvoy) and With Reason (Richard Hughes) complete the Godolphin trio.
Racing manager Simon Crisford said: “This looks a really great renewal but I would say we are going there with more hope than confidence and all three will probably progress as the season goes forward.
“Refuse to Bend disappointed us with his run in Dubai (eighth in the Dubai Duty Free) and we have the option of stepping him up in distance later on.
“In order to win he will need to recapture his Guineas form, but he’s giving us all the right signals.
“Firebreak is a tough, solid campaigner who enjoys his racing and it’s important with him to give him a break between runs.
“With Reason won the Hungerford Stakes at the course last year and is a natural front-runner who is likely to be sitting handy.”
Ikhtyar bids to get his career back on track in the Lockinge after two below-par runs on his last two starts.
The John Gosden-trained colt is an enthusiastic performer on the gallops, but his connections want him to go out and prove it on the track tomorrow.
Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: “He didn’t like the soft ground at Ascot (third to Putra Pekan) and is a big, stuffy horse. Hopefully that outing will have put him straight.
“Last year he won well at Sandown and might have gone for the Irish Guineas if we hadn’t already had runners in that, so he ended up meeting Kalaman at Kempton and came back jarred up.
“There is a feeling that he might be more of a mile-and-a-quarter horse and we should learn something in that respect.
“We’ve had to bide our time waiting for good ground so there will be no excuses tomorrow. On his homework he’s a very talented horse.”
Gosden also runs the ex-Mark Johnston-trained Desert Deer in the Newbury feature.
The six-year-old was withdrawn at the start of last year’s race after refusing to go in the stalls.
Fulke Johnson Houghton reports Tout Seul to have progressed for his authoritative comeback success in a Listed race at Leicester.
Mick Channon has welcomed the warmer weather for his candidate Checkit and said: “I hope the ground continues to dry out and I am forgetting his latest run, when the going was against him.”
Last year’s Ayr Gold Cup winner Quito runs in the race just 48 hours after winning a six-furlong handicap at York.
David Chapman’s seven-year-old is facing a massive step up in class having won off a mark of 103 on Thursday.
Quito has shown decent form over a mile and was a strong-finishing second in this season’s Lincoln.
Hurricane Alan, Gateman, Norse Dancer, Indian Haven and Salselon, who finished first, second, fourth, fifth and ninth respectively in last month’s betfred.com Mile at Sandown, all turn out again in the Lockinge.
Carlos Laffon-Parias is sending Krataios over for the race, with Olivier Peslier in the saddle.
The colt is a half-brother to Keltos, who won the Lockinge for the stable two years ago.
Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes betting:
William Hill: 2-1 Russian Rhythm, 9-2 Refuse To Bend, 10-1 Ikhtiyar, 11-1 Firebreak, 12-1 Gateman, Hurricane Alan, 14-1 Indian Haven, Krataios, Norse Dancer, Tout Seul, 16-1 Desert Deer, 20-1 With Reason, 25-1 Quito, 28-1 Checkit, 33-1 Salselon.
Ladbrokes: 2-1 Russian Rhythm, 9-2 Refuse To Bend, 7-1 Ikhtyar, 11-1 Tout Seul, 12-1 Gateman, Hurricane Alan, Norse Dancer, 14-1 Firebreak, 16-1 Desert Deer, Indian Haven, 18-1 Krataios, 28-1 Checkit, With Reason, 33-1 Quito, 50-1 Salselon.
