Unbeaten Baaeed heads a field of nine in the Al Shaqab Lockinge

The William Haggas-trained Baaeed will take centre stage on Saturday, as he heads a field of nine i entries in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes. Baaeed sparked celebrations on a memorable QIPCO British Champions Day for jockey Jim Crowley, who stormed to success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. It gave Crowley a second of three wins on the day. Racing fans were delighted to hear that the colt was to stay in training after his success at Ascot, and Baaeed will be going for a seventh straight victory at Newbury.

He could be up against two of last year’s Series stars, Mother Earth and Alcohol Free. The former won last year’s QIPCO 1000 Guineas for Aidan O’Brien and started this season with a convincing win at The Curragh. The same can’t be said for Alcohol Free, who finished a disappointing third in the bet365 Mile at Sandown three weeks back, however, if she can rediscover last year’s form it’d be no surprise if she takes a step forward on the big stage. Her three victories last year included two Group 1s (Coronation Stakes and Qatar Sussex Stakes).

They’re joined in the entries by Godolphin’s Real World who is back on British turf after an indifferent winter in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. John & Thady Gosden could be represented by Sunray Major who showed promise at the start of last year before disappointing in the Balmoral Handicap at Ascot in October.

The Al Shaqab Lockinge Day on Saturday is also Ladies Day, and tickets are available here.

Full Entries (9)

Alcohol Free
Baaeed
Chindit
Etonian
Mother Earth
New Mandate
Read World
Sir Busker
Sunray Major