With the ground yesterday described as gluey and dead by some of the jockeys, it needed a dry night and beautiful start to the morning to convince Limato’s trainer Henry Candy to risk him in today’s Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes. Running at 3.55 at Newbury the going is currently good to soft and Candy says he may risk him, running against twelve other rides and over a mile this class 1 race for four year olds has big money at stake with the prize pot at a healthy £198,485. Limato is currently third favourite with the bookies with the best odds with Coral at 5/1. Riding Limato today is Harry Bentley and in his last seven races he has come first four times and second three, so whilst he isn’t favourite, he should do well given his record.
Vying for the favourite spot are Toormore and Kodi Bear, the latter came eighth on his last outing but that said his performances before hold him in good stead for today along with favourable ground. Toormore, on the other hand is less consistent in his wins, in the last seven races he has three first places but the other four are eighth and third, nothing really spectacular, but that doesn’t mean it won’t suit him today. Riding Kodi Bear today is Gerald Mosse, who is used to riding him, they have odds of 5/1 William Hill and riding Toormore is James Doyle and odds are varied at the moment with 5/1 with Paddy Power but less with other bookmakers, so shop around.
Other horses to watch out for today are Gabriel with odds of 50/1 at Ladbrokes he has odds dropping at most bookmakers which is usually a sign he’s being heavily backed somewhere. Also, Arod, most tipsters are backing him, saying he's ready for a run, but ground conditions may not favour him today. Another one to watch is Mahsoob, who’s did very well on 1m1f last time out, so dropping him back to 1m may be in his favour. Definitely an each way bet in the form he’s in.
As ever, get your bets on early for those best odds and Good Luck today.