Leading mare Inspiral leads the 11 confirmations for Saturday's Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes and is well on her way to making her much-anticipated comeback at Newbury.
The mare trained by John and Thady Gosden was a Group One winner at two, three, and four last year thanks to her victory in the Prix Jacques le Marois. She also added the Sun Chariot Stakes against her own sex and finished her season in a spectacular manner at the Breeders' Cup.
Connections have a lot of alternatives for the upcoming season thanks to Santa Anita's performance over 10 furlongs, but she is ready to begin over the well-trod mile circuit, where she might reignite competition with Queen Elizabeth II Stakes hero Big Rock, who is currently with Maurizio Guarnieri after moving from Christopher Head.
“Inspiral is in good form, I’m pleased with her going into her first run back,” said John Gosden. “The plan is to run her in the Lockinge, it’s a good starting point.”
Following strong victories at Doncaster and Sandown, Roger Varian's Charyn will make her Group One debut this year. The audience will also represent the Gosdens and Cheveley Park.
After finishing second in the 2000 Guineas last year and recovering from a few setbacks with his injuries, Royal Scotsman—the stable star of Paul and Oliver Cole—is prepared to return after a break of more than 300 days.
“He’s all set for the Lockinge and is in good form,” said Oliver Cole. “We couldn’t be happier with him at this stage. He got bone bruising and now he’s fine, that was the reason we stopped (last year). He never went forward in Ireland and he never went forward at Ascot and hopefully, he will go forward on Saturday. He’s a very, very good horse, so fingers crossed.”