AL SHAQAB LOCKINGE STAKES (GROUP 1)

ROGER Varian has made an outstanding start to the new season and Belardo gave him another prestigious success in the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. Coming from some way off the pace, Andrea Atzeni brought him with a strong late run to catch and beat Euro Charline by a length with Ger Lyons’ Endless Drama running a fine race in third.

The winner’s stable-companion Barchan led at a good pace, with Toormore moving up to take over three furlongs from home. Toormore was under strong pressure approaching the final furlong, where Endless Drama and Euro Charline challenged, the latter looking to have every chance until Belardo, 8/1 caught her and swiftly settled the issue.

There is every reason to go for the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he is as low as 5/1 in some lists.

Marco Botti was thinking in terms of the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket for the filly Euro Charline, while Lyons was justifiably delighted with Endless Drama after a year on the sidelines. The Queen Anne is a possibility if the ground is not too firm.

Later on, Atzeni teamed up with Botti to win the Planteur Handicap, again over the straight mile, with 16/1 shot Azraff, who proved just over a length too good for Gabrial’s Kaka.

Azraff looks the type for the Royal Hunt Cup.