All 13 declared for a cracking JLT Lockinge Stakes

Declaration Of War and Joseph O’Brien – can they break into the big time tomorrow? Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

The 13 horses left in the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Monday’s confirmation stage have all been declared to run, promising a top class, fascinating race over a mile at Newbury tomorrow afternoon.

The big three in the betting are Declaration Of War, Cityscape and Farhh.

Declaration Of War has won five of his six races and has always been highly regarded by trainer Aidan O’Brien, but he has never raced at the top level before and it could be that he will be seen at his best over a distance further than a mile.

He is a very short price based on what he has achieved, but all the money has been for him this week.

Cityscape has some top class form to his name, notably when winning the 2012 Dubai Duty Free on Dubai World Cup Night by a scintillating 4¼ lengths, proving that he can go very well when fresh (that was his first start of the season, as it will be on Saturday). He was twice runner-up to Excelebration last year and that’s top notch form.

Farhh has finished second on his last four starts, twice behind Frankel. He has the same top official rating as Cityscape of 124 (Declaration Of War is rated just 112) and is versatile ground-wise.

He has had his injury problems but is reported to be working well although, like Declaration Of War, he may be better over a mile and a quarter as his trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, acknowledges.

Most of the other contenders need to improve to win at this level, but some undoubtedly have that potential, notably John Gosden’s Fencing.

Always well regarded last season, he has clearly improved with another year under his belt and was a ready winner at Ascot on 1st May.

German raiders have a fine record over the last year in the UK and Amaron can also not be ruled out. Will there be enough rain for him to be seen at his best though?

Beauty Parlour is another that needs to be taken very seriously. The filly had top class form in France last year, but took time to settle in at Newmarket and disappointed on her only start for Sir Henry last season.

Now she’s working beautifully, but she needs some cut in the ground to be seen at her best – the more rain, the better. With her filly’s weight allowance, she is only three pounds behind Cityscape and Farhh in the official ratings.

Newmarket-trained horses have won 15 of the last 20 runnings, which speaks in favour of Farhh, Beauty Parlour and Fencing in particular.

Three of the five non-Newmarket winners were trained by Richard Hannon, which makes Trumpet Major, who won well at Sandown last month, also worth noting.