Solid chance for Big Rock on day two of Newbury’s Lockinge meeting

Day two of Newbury’s Lockinge meeting promises to be an exciting one, with a seven race card providing plenty of opportunities for racegoers.

With four Class 1 and three Class 2 races, proceedings begin at 1:50pm and finish at 5:15 as the Flat season rolls on at Newbury ahead of a busy summer period.

1:50 - The action kicks off with the Sky Sports Racing Aston Park Stakes, where the King’s horse is highly fancied. Desert Hero will face a step up in trip but is expected to handle it as the pre-race favourite, with Middle Earth tipped in second and ridden by Oisin Murphy.

2:25 - A 6f race next, as the Highclere Castle Gin Carnarvon Stakes presents a wide-open field. Relief Rally currently leads the betting, fourth here back in April over a longer trip.

A handy each-way punt could be Queen of Mougins, a 33/1 course and distance winner back in August who catches the eye.

3:00 - The first handicap of the day is also the first Class 2, with two horses gaining plenty of interest. Chantilly remains the favourite at time of writing, ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Aidan O’Brien.

William Buick rides King’s Gambit, who might offer value here due to trainer Harry Charlton’s previous form in this race.

3:35 - The main event now, the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes. £226,840 is awarded to the winner, with eleven high class horses set to put on a spectacle in what is a key indicator of form for Royal Ascot’s Queen Anne Stakes.

France’s Big Rock leads the betting, hoping to make a strong start to the season after a win at Ascot back in November. Inspiral won the Breeders’ Cup and will get plenty of attention from punters on his season debut.

4:10 - Another Class 2, as Wiltshire goes in as favourite for Tom Marquand. A winner in a handicap here a month ago, he’ll look to replicate that form with another success.

4:45 - King Charles’ runner Slipofthepen appears here, hoping for a return to form after a poor showing on seasonal debut at Newmarket in April.

Godwinson fell to a course and distance loss against Metal Merchant here last month, but is tipped as favourite this weekend and expected to exact revenge.

5:10 - The finale of this two day Flat meet presents a Class 1 for three-year-olds, with six runners to choose from.

Diamond Rain is tipped, hoping to replicate last month’s performance which saw a win on Class 2 debut at Ascot, ridden by William Buick.

Lots of action to enjoy at Newbury on day two of the Lockinge meeting, with tickets available from newburyracecourse.co.uk

Selections - Horse racing odds courtesy of BoyleSports

1:50: Desert Hero - 13/8

2:25: Queen Of Mougins (E/W) - 33/1

3:00: King’s Gambit - 9/2 (NAP)

3:35: Inspiral- 9/4

4:10: Wiltshire - 9/4

4:45: Godwinson - 11/4

5:10: Diamond Rain - 7/2