Palace Pier will face 11 rivals in the Gr1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday at 16h35.
The John Gosden trained Kingman colt has won six of his seven starts, including twice at the top level – made an impressive comeback when an eight-length winner of the Gr2 bet365 Mile at Sandown last month.
Last season’s champion three-year colt will likely start a hot favourite as this Gr1 event is run at level weights and he is rated at least 8 pounds superior on Timeform ratings.
His sole defeat was at Ascot last September on heavy going but track conditions on Saturday are forecasted to be only slightly soft.
Lope Y Fernandez represents the Irish challenge and Aidan O’Brien’s runner went close at this level a few times last season. The four-year-old son of Loupe De Vega also won first up this season when he contested a listed event over a mile at Leopardstown and emerged a comfortable five length winner.
The opposition also include the progressive My Oberon for trainer William Haggas. He was a very easy winner of the Gr3 Earl of Sefton Stakes over 1800m at Newmarket last month. This lightly raced Dubawi colt may be looking for further but cannot be ignored.
LORD GLITTERS (FR) ridden by Adrie De Vries wins the 9F Group 2 Singspiel Stakes Sponsored By Riviera By Azizi, race 4, at Meydan Dubai World Cup Carnival.
The David O’Meara stable send out the grey eight-year-old Lord Glitters. This gallant multiple group one winner has just returned from winning the Gr1 Jebel Hatta over 1800m at Meydan.
The undercard for this meeting has attracted many interesting runners, especially the third race which starts at 15h25.
The Gr3 Al Rayyan Stakes is run over 2400m and there are six runners. However, it’s the return of the hugely impressive Gr1 St Ledger winner of 2019, Logician that adds interest.
The five-year-old grey entire by Frankel has been kept in training and makes his seasonal return. He raced only twice at four after recovering from serious illness and although winning first up last year, was bitterly disappointing at York last October in the Gr3 Betsafe Cumberland Lodge Stakes.
Al Aasy the four-year-old son of Sea the Stars is favourite after an impressive return last month in a Gr3 at Newmarket over tomorrows trip.
This highly regarded colt from the William Haggas stable representing the Shadwell Estate and will ensure that Logician knows he is in a race.
Mark Johnston trains the Night of Thunder colt Thunderous who won four of his first five starts but needs to improve on his two slightly disappointing starts to the new season. Ryan Moore takes the reigns and perhaps the easier underfoot conditions will suit.
