Ante-post Tip – Lockinge Stakes 14-05-16

Saturday’s Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury has attracted an entry of 18 at the five-day declaration stage headed by the Henry Candy-trained Limato, a general 7-2 favourite with most bookmakers. The exciting son of Tagula has won six of his nine starts including a most impressive victory in Doncaster’s Park Stakes last September but the four-year-old has yet to prove his stamina over Saturday’s trip of a mile, especially with a fast pace almost guaranteed this weekend.

Last year’s runner-up Toormore holds strong claims to go one better this time following a Sandown victory on his seasonal reappearance last month while Goodwood’s Celebration Mile winner Kodi Bear is sure to have his supporters along with easy Leicester scorer Home Of The Brave.

Dutch Connection, Mahsoob, Arod and Amazing Maria are others that can not be easily dismissed but the early ante-post value lies with the globe-trotting mare Euro Charline at the 20-1 on offer with Coral. Marco Botti's five-year-old made the headlines when running out a surprise winner of the Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes at Arlington Park in August 2014 since when the daughter of Myboycharlie has been campaigned around the world. Two outings this year in Meydan should ensure that the mare is spot-on for Saturday's contest and a reproduction of her half-length second behind Real Steel in the Dubai Turf on her most recent start could make her current odds look very attractive. In a recent interview, Botti claimed that Euro Charlie will be well suited by Newbury's galloping track for his stable star who has strengthened out this year.

Lockinge Stakes Tip

1 Point each-way Euro Charline 20- 1 Coral