THE ground was soft at Newbury on Saturday and one or two fancied horses failed to produce their best form. However, that did not apply to Godolphin’s Ribchester, who handles the surface well and fairly ran away with the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, making all and pulling nearly four lengths clear of Lightning Spear with Breton Rock third.

Ribchester closed in again to 7/4 favourite on the off but two of his talented stable-companions had run poorly in the recent past and there was strong late support for Aidan O’Brien’s filly Somehow, winner of the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket last time. She was never going the pace before keeping on to finish a creditable fourth.

The theory was that Toscanini would act as a pacemaker for Ribchester but he completely missed the kick and William Buick was soon dictating terms on the favourite.

There was never a serious challenge, although Lightning Spear kept on well as the winner drifted right inside the final furlong, finishing against the stands’ rails. The pair had finished close together in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, so the form stood up well.

Trainer David Simcock had every reason to feel proud, with Breton Rock’s fine effort meaning he sent out second and third.

Ribchester won the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last year and might well have mastered The Gurkha and 2000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes with a little further to travel. He went on to land the Prix Jacques Le Marois and is clearly a colt of the very highest calibre.

Galileo Gold was dismounted by Frankie Dettori before the start last week. He did quite well in fifth after racing on his own towards the near side but has something to prove now.

“I always thought Ribchester was capable of something like that,’’ Fahey said. “The pacemaker missed the kick but he seemed relaxed in front. He’s mentally mature and physically getting stronger all the time. I’ve got to speak to John Ferguson and Sheikh Mohammed but I’d love to think he’d get a mile and a quarter. Do we have to go there at the minute? No.’’

this was a record eighth Lockinge for Godolphin.

“He likes to use his stride and keep finding. He’s a top-class miler,’’ Buick said.

The obvious immediate target for Ribchester is the Queen Anne Stakes on the opening day at Royal Ascot next month. He is as short as 2/1 favourite with BetBright and bet365.