3 minutes There are 11 entries confirmed for this year’s renewal and here at betting.bet we’ll cast our eye over some of the market leaders whilst providing the latest odds and free bet offers
There’s a superb day of racing at Newbury to look forward to on Saturday, the highlight of which is the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes. There are 11 entries confirmed for this year’s renewal and here at betting.bet we’ll cast our eye over some of the market leaders whilst providing the latest odds and free bet offers from our betting partners at Star Sports.
Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes Overview
Contested over a straight one mile, the Lockinge Stakes was established in 1958 and has held Group 1 status since 1995. Now open only to horses aged four years and above with a 3lbs allowance for mares.
Since 2011 the Lockinge Stakes has been a part of the British Champion Series’ mile division and horses that fare well in the Lockinge will often follow up by entering the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. 2022 winner Baaeed became the latest winner of both races.
Gololphin became the Lockinge Stakes’ winning most owner twelve months ago with Modern Games becoming their ninth race winner. Modern Games went on to finish fourth in the Queen Anne Stakes.
Market Leaders
There are two leading horses vying for favouritism this year with both Big Rock and Inspiral well-supported in the betting. Big Rock had been hugely successful over in France before making his British debut on Champions Day at Ascot last October. As a three-year-old, Big Rock charged to a six-length victory in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over Saturday’s one mile distance. Based on that hugely impressive run at Ascot, Big Rock will take some beating on Saturday.
Inspiral is a leading player having completed a hat-trick of Group 1 wins last year. Trainers, John & Thady Gosden won this race with Palace Pier in 2021 and they head to Newbury full of confidence after winning the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mares Turf race in November. Following on from wins in the summer in the Sun Chariot Stakes and Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Newmarket and Deauville respectively.
Star Sports Money Back Offer
With two incredibly well-fancied horses amongst those set to go to post on Saturday, Star Sports' latest live horse racing betting offer offer looks very appealing. Simply place a pre-race bet on any race shown live on ITV on Saturday and if your horse finishes second by a neck or less you will get up to £50 back as a free bet.
Likely Challengers
Charyn was thrust into Lockinge contention last month as he landed the bet365 Mile at Sandown ahead of Poker Face. Charyn’s one previous run at Newbury saw him finish second over 7f in the Group 3 Greenham Stakes last April but he’s certainly come on for that extra furlong this year. Poker Face is a specialist one miler and he’s not finished outside of the top two in six runs since disappointing in the Wolferton Stakes at last year’s Royal Ascot meeting. Conceding 3lbs to Charyn at Sandown and certainly capable of reversing that form.
Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Big Rock, Inspiral | 2/1 |
| Charyn | 9/2 |
| Poker Face | 13/2 |
| Royal Scotsman | 16/1 |
| Flight Plan, Real World | 25/1 |
| Hi Royal | 40/1 |
| Audience, Witch Hunter | 50/1 |
| Dear My Friend | 66/1 |
