Black-Type Analysis: Rosallion Looms Large In The Lockinge, As York Welcomes Rebel’s Romance For The Cup

[Wandering Eyes]

Friday, York, post time: 15:45, BOODLES YORKSHIRE CUP-G2, £192,200, 4yo/up, 13f 188yT

Field: Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Sweet William (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Alsakib (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Epic Poet (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: For so long a top-class mile-and-a-half specialist, the dual Breeders' Cup Turf hero and seven-times Group 1 and Grade I winner Rebel's Romance tries something different here and a five-pound penalty probably won't prove any kind of stop on his superior talent. Ballydoyle's Continuous was disappointing last season after a promising first run, but a mix of blinkers and return to the trip over which he won the 2023 St Leger could yield a renewal, while the race's true “Cup” horse Sweet William needs further than this. [Tom Frary].

Friday, Chantilly, France, post time: 14:53, PRIX TEXANITA-G3, €80,000, 3yo, 6fT

Field: Maranoa Charlie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Woodshauna (Fr) (Wooded {Ire}), Jenilat Bright (Fr) (Birchwood {Ire}), Fraise Des Bois (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}), Profumo Di Lena (Fr) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}), Time For Sandals (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Polyvega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: Connections of Maranoa Charlie have gone the sprinting route, which is undoubtedly the way to go with such a generous giver. Making all in the seven-furlong G3 Prix Djebel at Deauville last month, he could be one of this division's leading lights allowed to use his unbridled speed to full effect. Fellow TDN Rising Star Polyvega had some smart form at this trip at two and is better than her latest third in the course-and-distance Prix Sigy, but she needs to take a jump up. [Tom Frary].

Friday, Leopardstown, post time: 19:23, SAVAL BEG LEVMOSS STAKES-G3, €36,000, 4yo/up, 14fT

Field: Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Dallas Star (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}), Duraji (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Mont St Michel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Satin (GB), Australia (GB).

TDN Verdict: After York has played host to some potential stayers, the division King sticks to a proven path. Aidan O'Brien's “miracle horse” Kyprios continues to go through the motions of swatting all potential threats to his dominion and we will learn no more from this other than the fact that he is alive and sound. [Tom Frary].

Friday, York, post time: 15:13, SKY BET FILLIES' STAKES (REGISTERED AS THE MICHAEL SEELY MEMORIAL FILLIES' STAKES)-Listed, £70,000, 3yo, f, 7f 192yT

Field: Bermuda Longtail (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Consecrated (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Elsie's Ruan (Ire) (Ulysses {Ire}), Glittering Surf (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Gulya (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Kon Tiki (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Royalty Bay (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Serving With Style (GB) (Mohaather {GB}), The Third Star (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), Troia (GB) (Kingman {GB}).

TDN Verdict: TDN Rising Star Glittering Surf switches from the Polytrack in what is effectively a trial for next month's Coronation Stakes. Runner-up to her at Kempton last time, Bermuda Longtail renews rivalry while the likes of the impressive Newbury debut winner Consecrated and highly-regarded maiden Gulya help to make a fascinating contest which could be hosting a clutch of the season's upcoming movers and shakers. [Tom Frary].

Friday, York, post time: 14:10, CLIPPER EBF MARYGATE FILLIES' STAKES-Listed, £70,000, 2yo, f, 5fT

Field: Alaskan Light (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Awraad (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Eternal Solace (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), Guernsey Lady (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}), Harry's Girl (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}), Love Olivia (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Saucy Jane (GB) (Lope Y Fernandez {Ire}), Secret Hideaway (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Solana Rose (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: Often a significant pointer to the Queen Mary, this test of raw speed sees the Newmarket debut winner Harry's Girl looking to continue the run of form of the Hannon juveniles. Eternal Solace won a minor affair at Brighton first time, but the manner of her finish was impressive and if they go hard she might love it. [Tom Frary].

Saturday, Newbury, post time: 14:35, BOYLESPORTS LOCKINGE STAKES-G1, £400,000, 4yo/up, 8fT

Field: Checkandchallenge (GB) (Fast Company {Ire}), Dancing Gemini (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Lead Artist (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Persica (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Prague (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}).

TDN Verdict: This is the best race run so far in 2025, with the brilliant miler Rosallion renewing rivalry with the almost-as-good Notable Speech as both make their seasonal debuts. Whereas the latter, who excelled in the 2,000 Guineas and Sussex, needs a strong pace to run at any kind of tactical affair will make no difference to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's sensational St James's Palace hero. Dancing Gemini has so far successfully trod the path of last year's Lockinge winner Charyn, but this is a lot better than the 2024 version and there is no evidence he's as good as his predecessor. There is also good reason to expect last year's Sun Chariot winner Tamfana to reverse the form of their Sandown Mile encounter, as she was having her first start and was burdened with a penalty. [Tom Frary].

Click here for the complete fields.

The post Black-Type Analysis: Rosallion Looms Large In The Lockinge, As York Welcomes Rebel’s Romance For The Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article