Runner-up in Newbury's G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. 12 months ago, Godolphin's reliable stalwart Toormore (Ire) (Arakan) may only need to replicate that effort to go one better in Saturday's open-looking renewal. Just a neck away from victory after the obvious class-act of the latest edition, Night of Thunder (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), managed to usurp him, the 5-year-old has ease in the ground to suit as he bids to build on his comeback win in the Apr. 22 G2 Sandown Mile on good-to-soft. On that occasion, he had the operation's recent acquisition Dutch Connection (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) back in second, as he had when successful in Glorious Goodwood's G2 Lennox S. in July, with the other from the boys in blue, Belardo (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), a disappointing favourite in fourth. John Ferguson, chief executive and racing manager of Godolphin, commented, “Toormore nearly won the Lockinge last year and must have a good chance this year. Belardo will probably race a bit handier, closer to the pace, and he can go well on the ground–the softer the better for him. We have bought Dutch Connection and he has run well on good-to-soft ground. So the Lockinge is a race we are looking forward to, and the great thing about running all these horses is that we will be able to plan campaigns going forward.”
Trainers Richard Hannon and Roger Varian are feeling positive, but Charlie Hills needs to look at the surface for Dutch Connection. “We were delighted with Toormore's win at Sandown, when he needed the run badly and had a three-pound penalty,” Hannon said. “I think he has improved since last season and has a huge chance on Saturday.” Varian is likewise in confident mood. “Belardo is in good form and he will appreciate the rain that Newbury has had,” he explained. “He lost nothing in defeat last time and is in good heart.” Charlie Hills added, “Dutch Connection came out of his run at Sandown in great form and did a nice piece of work last week. They have obviously had a lot of rain at Newbury and I am hoping for a couple of drying days. I think the mile at Newbury will suit him, providing the ground is alright.”
Henry Candy is another with ground concerns as he ponders whether to let his stable star Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}) line up. Paul Jacobs's G1 Commonwealth Cup and G1 Prix de la Foret runner-up and G2 Park S. winner is stretching out to a mile for the first time, and needs drying weather. “Mr Jacobs will have the final call but it is looking more hopeful, I must say,” Candy explained on Friday. “If he jumps out of the stalls and says 'I want to be a sprinter' then it is going to be very embarrassing and he isn't going to get the mile. When he's fresh, like he is at the moment, it could be doubtful whether he does get the mile, but when he starts taking the Mickey like at the end of last season, then I think he will. The harder the ground the better; he absolutely floats. He coped with good-to-soft at Doncaster [in the Park S.], whereas Longchamp was a little bit softer [for the Foret].”
Last year's G2 Celebration Mile winner Kodi Bear (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) was last seen finishing eighth of nine in Ascot's G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. in October, but trainer Clive Cox believes he has him back on track. “He's very special to me,” he commented. “Hopefully he can capture a Group 1 this year. They are tough to win, we are full of respect for the opposition but it's satisfying having one good enough to take them on. The ground doesn't hold any fears to us either way.” One of the more interesting contenders is Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Mahsoob (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who showed enough speed for this test when winning the G3 Earl of Sefton S. over nine furlongs at Newmarket Apr. 13.
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