17 May. GB. Juddmonte Lockinge S. G1. Newbury. 8f. Turf. 200.000 £
1.- CREACHADOIR (L.Dettori)
2.- PHOENIX TOWER (T.Durcan)
3.- TARIQ (J.Fortune)


Creachadoir continued the great record of the Godolphin outfit in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes with a determined success in the Group 1 contest at Newbury.

Frankie Dettori was never far off the pace set by Rob Roy and his mount quickened up nicely around a furlong and a half out.

The 3-1 favourite stuck to his guns well when in front and had enough in reserve to hold Phoenix Tower and Tariq by three-quarters of a length and a neck.

Dettori said: “The race went to plan and he quickened well. He was idling a little bit in front.

“His form is rock-solid and he is a force to be reckoned with this year.

“I had the box seat and managed to get some room at the two. I pressed go and he responded immediately.”

The win is an important one for Sheikh Mohammed’s operation as it marks the first Group One success of the year in Europe.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who bagged the race three times in succession from 1998 to 2000, said: “He is a stronger horse than last year and had been working very well.

“There is no plan, but we may take him to Ascot.

“Hopefully this race will help him to settle down a little bit as he was very fresh beforehand.”

Phoenix Tower ran a fine race in defeat, losing his unbeaten record on just his fifth career start.

His trainer Henry Cecil said: “He doesn’t have the experience as he had been off a long time with his hairline fracture. He missed most of last season and only came back at Newmarket last month.

“He is improving and will get 10 furlongs in time. He is in both races at Royal Ascot (Queen Anne and Prince Of Wales’s) and we will see.

“There wasn’t much pace in the race and he will appreciate even faster ground.”