Lockinge succumbs to Paco power

Paco Boy showed a fantastic change of gear to bag the totesport.com Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in style.

Richard Hughes was hugely confident aboard the 8-11 favourite and had still barely moved a muscle a furlong and a half out on the Richard Hannon-trained runner.

Ouqba launched a challenge down the far side inside the distance but when Hughes gave the signal, Paco Boy switched gear and powered away, with Lord Shanakill sticking on for third.

Stimulation set off in front in the one-mile heat, with Hughes trying to settle a keen Paco Boy in the pack as he took a good grip in the early stages.

Hughes was still sitting motionless as the pace began to quicken three furlongs out and it looked as though he may struggle for a run at one point as Zacinto was sitting on his outside.

However, that rival folded tamely, allowing Hughes to switch for a run, but the rider was still barely making any effort aboard the five-year-old.

Yet Ouqba was flying inside the final furlong, and it looked as though Hughes could have left it too late.

The Desert Style horse was a cut above, though, and Hughes just gave him one crack of the whip before pulling away by a comfortable three-quarters of a length.

Lord Shanakill plugged on for third, a further three and a half lengths adrift of the brilliant winner.

Hughes said: ``I'm delighted for the horse - he deserved it to show how good he is.

“He was brilliant, and I virtually won it on the bridle.

“Richard’s done a great job getting him back this season as he was a very sore horse last year.”