Modern Games Stands Tall in Lockinge

Modern Games  may lack the charisma of Baaeed  and Palace Pier , the last two winners of the Lockinge Stakes (G1), but in terms of success at the highest level he has already achieved a great deal.

Winner of four grade 1s—including two at the Breeders' Cup—as well as the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1) at ParisLongchamp, the aim is to notch a first top-level victory in Britain May 20.

He finished runner-up to 33-1 Bayside Boy  in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) at Ascot last October, with two of Saturday's rivals, Jadoomi  and Checkandchallenge , just behind him in third and fourth.

His trainer Charlie Appleby said: "Hopefully this will be the opportunity for Modern Games to win a group 1 in Britain.

"The Maker's Mark Mile (G1T) (at Keeneland in April) proved a strangely run race from our perspective, but he came out of it well and heads to Newbury in great shape.

"We know that he is a crack miler and he goes there with the benefit of a run under his belt. Conditions at Newbury should suit, especially the drying ground, and he is going to be a big player."

Lockinge day has a rich history of producing a star and it would come as no surprise if the Frankie Dettori-ridden filly Laurel  catapulted herself into the big time.

The fact that she could finish a three-quarters-of-a-length second in the Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) at Newmarket last October on just her third run suggests she is blessed with tremendous ability.

Laurel proved she had trained on supremely well from 3 to 4 when impressively justifying 8-13 favoritism in the listed Snowdrop Fillies Stakes at Kempton last month and the fact that she is pitched straight into group 1 battle against the colts smacks of a high-class filly who has been working well at home.

Joint-trainer Thady Gosden said: "She's taking on the boys for the first time. It's a big jump up from a fillies' listed to a weight-for-age group 1, but she has not many miles on the clock and hopefully she can step up. Frankie (Dettori) came and sat on her on Wednesday and was pleased with her."

Barry Mahon, racing manager to Juddmonte, owners of Laurel, added: "She'll probably get 10 furlongs in time, but has enough speed for a mile and this is a nice fit for her. She wouldn't want the ground too quick, but I'm told it's beautiful at Newbury."

Last year's Champion Stakes (G1) will always be remembered for the defeat of Baaeed on the final start of his career.

However, it was impossible to miss how well his stablemate My Prospero , sent off at 22-1, performed in finishing third to Bay Bridge—one place ahead of Baaeed.

That was a career-best performance from My Prospero by some considerable way and this lightly raced colt looks the type to make up into a top-class 4-year-old.

The son of Iffraaj  will encounter much quicker underfoot conditions this time, but he won the listed Heron Stakes last May over a mile on ground officially described as good to firm.