David Simcock hoping Lighting Spear can strike in Lockinge

Lightning Spear is set to make his return in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Lightning Spear is on course to make his reappearance in the £350,000 Group One Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes over a mile at Newbury on May 20.

The David Simcock-trained six-year-old was placed in two QIPCO British Champions Series races last year – finishing third in the Queen Anne Stakes and QIPCO-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. In between, he landed the Doom Bar Celebration Mile at Goodwood.

“Lightning Spear is a very talented horse and I feel there is more to come,” Simcock said on Wednesday. “The priority with him is to try and win a Group One in England.

“There is a good programme for him and he will start off in the Lockinge at Newbury, go on to the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and then we’ll have a think. He goes on most ground and is training well.”

The other 20 confirmations for the Lockinge include Galileo Gold and Ribchester. Hugo Palmer, trainer of Galileo Gold, told British Champions Series last month he was delighted with the wellbeing of the former.

Aidan O’Brien has seven entries to juggle, including Minding, Alice Springs and Deauville.