Cape Cross burns off opposition

The fancied runners assembling for Newbury's Group One Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes on Saturday found themselves reduced to no more than a welcoming committee to a 20 to 1 chance who had arrived in England less than a week ago.

Godolphin's Cape Cross, whose hooves clicked onto the tarmac at Luton Airport last Sunday, appeared to be there in the role of pacemaker for the stable's better-fancied Kahal.

Instructions to Cape Cross's rider Daragh O'Donohoe were to set a good pace in order - or so it was thought - to boost the chances of Kahal, the mount of Frankie Dettori.

Two furlongs out and all seemed to be going to plan. O'Donohoe was punching away and holding a two-length lead, Dettori sitting quietest of those behind.

But from the furlong pole it became apparent that the chief beneficiary of the tactic had been none other than Cape Cross himself, who blunted the challenge of Poteen by a neck at the line in a course record time of one minute 35.33 seconds, lowering that of 1 minute 35.76 seconds set by Emperor Jones in this race four years ago.

Centre Stalls took third two and a half lengths away, with a neck further back to Kahal, who was running out of stamina in the last 200 yards.

According to Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford, the presence of Cape Cross in the 10strong line-up was of a mercenary nature.

"He was there to help Kahal, but win if he could, if that makes any sense!" he said.

"It was a surprise. He only got here on Sunday. We wanted a good pace for Kahal so we told Daragh to bowl along in front.

"It is slightly surprising but he has obviously done very well when we have been over here and he has been back in Dubai.

"He was disappointing in Dubai. He didn't put his best foot forward but he has obviously got a lot of ability. He will go for the Queen Anne carrying a penalty and we will see what he is capable of doing."

O'Donohoe, a 25-year-old Dubliner who was registering his first win in a Group One race, partnered Cape Cross in his work in Dubai.

The Queen Anne, the opening race of Royal Ascot, is also the next target for Poteen, Centre Stalls and, possibly, Kahal.

"He has run very well," said Poteen's trainer Luca Cumani. "He is back to his best form of last year and it was a very, very good first run of the season."

Clive Brittain's Air Express was sent off the 100 to 30 favourite to supplement his win in last year's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot but came home seventh.

Yorkshire was gelded during the winter and the new-found focus brought its reward as he made a winning reappearance in the listed Aston Park Stakes.

Under tight restraint from Richard Quinn at the back of the field, the chestnut swept through to lead 250 yards from the finish and lengthened four clear of Ferny Hill.

For Cole, who has always held Yorkshire in high regard, the win came not before time. "We have always thought a lot of him last year but he was flat," he said. "But he has always been a good worker and that is the sort of horse we always thought he was."