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    As Lockinge Field advances, a battle between Big Rock and Inspiral is imminent
As Lockinge Field advances, a battle between Big Rock and Inspiral is imminent
Big Rock. Source: attheraces.com

As Lockinge Field advances, a battle between Big Rock and Inspiral is imminent

Following their declarations for the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes on Saturday, Inspiral and Big Rock will now face off.

Last summer, the pair faced off in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, with John and Thady Gosden's standout filly winning by just over a length.

She would go on to win another Group One at Newmarket in the autumn, and then she would end the year with the Breeders' Cup stateside.

After serving as a bridesmaid in some of the greatest races held in 2023, Big Rock finally gained attention when he defeated the field handily in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day.

Since then, the son of Rock of Gibraltar has departed Christopher Head and will start for Maurizio Guarnieri at Newbury for the first time.

Since Roger Varian's Charyn has performed well at both Doncaster and Sandown this season, she has a chance to record an early-season hat-trick. All eleven of the individuals who maintained their position throughout Monday's confirmation stage have been proclaimed.

In an attempt to reverse the odds, Poker Face, who finished second to Charyn at Sandown, will race for Simon and Ed Crisford. On his comeback after a nearly 11-month break, last year's third-place finisher in the 2000 Guineas, Royal Scotsman, looks like an intriguing contender.

The first of nine races announced for the inaugural Sky Sports Racing Aston Park Stakes is led by the King and Queen's Desert Hero.

Other popular names are Ralph Beckett's Salt Bay, which was only defeated by a neck when finishing third over track and trip in the John Porter, and the Gosdens' Middle Earth, which won in Listed company last term.

While Relief Rally is the clear favourite in the Highclere Castle Gin Carnarvon Stakes, William Haggas also has a good hand in the final Haras De Bouquetot Fillies’ Trial Stakes, where Sea Just In Time is conspicuously absent.

It is up to Roger Varian's Ejaabiyah, Charlie Appleby's Diamond Rain, and Juddmonte's Siyola to compete for a trip to the Betfred Oaks in the daughter of Sea The Stars' absence.

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