Overseas racing Sat.

Could be a long wait between bets today?

Newbury Paco Boy is running and must go close in the main race.

Thirsk, best bet should be Roman Republic

and then the wait for Rachel Alexandra at 12.15? plenty sport in between to keep us active.

I presume the Lockinge is at Newbury and not Newmarket as suggested by the Tellytrack slide? Sigh...

Yes Newbury magic,it`s their big race of the year

Yup Magic, Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes run at Newbury, and will bet a few Guineas not run at Newmarket!

Newbury Race 5 Nightjar
Thirsk Race 5 Wyatt Earp
Bangor Race 1 Sir Ian
Newmarket Race 1 Invisible Man

Paco Boy to be challenged by Alexandros and or Dream Eater

hibernia Wrote:

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> Yes Newbury magic,it`s their big race of the year

I thought as much. And now off to Gulfstream for the Preakness...

If you keep this up Magic, you will be getting a job on the box

lol

Hee hee, Scotia. There's more chance of Royal Ascot being moved to Brighton.

Thank duck Alexandros didn't win. Even a non punter like me thought 16/1 was a massive price and I was somewhat tempted.

VIRTUAL just touched off Alexandros in a photo finish after a thrilling renewal of the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Paco Boy was sent off the hot favourite at 11-8 to follow up his win in the Group 2 Bet365Mile at Sandown last time and raced a little keenly towards the rear on the field.



He was tracked by stablemate Major Cadeaux, while Twice Over and 16-1 shot Alexandros raced at the head of the field.

Push came to shove on Twice Over with two furlongs to run and he came under strong pressure from Alexandros and Virtual. Paco Boy, meanwhile, was short of room behind the leaders under jockey Richard Hughes.

Paco Boy squirmed his was out of the pack and onto the stands rail but his electric turn of foot looked blunted by the going and he could only stay on at one pace after briefly hitting the front.

The John Gosden-trained Virtual joined Twice Over at the front and went to the lead but he was chased down by Alexandros and Frankie Dettori, whose whip was knocked from his hand by Tom Queally on Twice Over, and the pair flashed past the post together.


Frankie Dettori (all blue silks):
has his whip knocked from his hand

A photo was needed to separate the pair and it was Virtual and jockey Jimmy Fortune who got the verdict by a nose.

Alexandros, who was looking to give owners Godolphin a second successive win in the race, was half a length ahead of 8-1 chance Twice Over at the line and Paco Boy was fourth.

Fortune said: "I thought [Alexandros] got me - I felt sick going across the line.

"But this lad stuck his neck out, and must have just got him on the line. He needed the race the last day, and everything was in his favour today."

Gosden said: "It was a stunning finish, because from my angle it looked like we had been beaten a short head. Going past the line he was a full head in front but on the line Jimmy thought he had been done.

"It was a fabulousfinish. Twice Over took the pace, Pressing took the pace - they wanted to test the stamina of Paco Boy, who is an exceptional horse, and they found him wanting in the last half-furlong.

"He deserves it, he's a proper horse. He didn't get on with Ascot last year, and I think if we're wise we'll freshen him up and go for the Eclipse."

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: "That was a great run from him and he's been a really busy horse overthe last few months. All types of ground come alike to him and he's turning into a really nice horse.

"I thought he had won from where I was standing. Frankie (Dettori) said his whip was knocked out of his hand about a furlong out, but these things happen and fair play to the winner.

"That was a great run from ours too and he will head to Epsom now for the Diomed."

Cecil said: "It's difficult to make all of the running all of the way and the trip would have been short enough for him, but he was coming back again at the end.

"All being well, he'll head to the Prince Of Wales's Stakes now (at Royal Ascot) and he is coming back to form."

Paco Boy's trainer Richard Hannon was not too despondent by his colt's defeat and is now looking forward to Royal Ascot.

"The ground has got very soft, which probably didn't suit him over that distance. A mile for him on good ground is not a problem and he'll be back another day," said the trainer.

"I'm very happy with his performance and he'll go to Ascot now."