Olympic set for Glory in Lockinge Stakes

The first Group 1 of the season for the older horses, the JLT Lockinge Stakes, takes centre stage at Newbury today (3.50) and Coral are offering an enhanced price of 2/1 about the red-hot favourite Olympic making a winning return to action.

The price is available from 8.30 am today to all customers on bets placed via website, mobile and telephone (Singles only, max bet £20, restrictions may apply).

It is unlikely to last long, so the advice is to snap it up if, like me, you think Olympic Glory is a good thing.

The Richard Hannon trained colt is a dual Group 1 winner who impressed in first-time blinkers when winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot by 3 1/4 lengths from Top Notch Tonto.

The son of Choisir was then not at his best when trailing home a well beaten ninth behind behind American wonder horse Wise Dan in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on firm ground at Santa Anita, but this is far easier.

The four-year-old is officially rated 7lb and upwards clear of his rivals, and the nearest of those to him in the ratings is Top Notch Tonto who he brushed aside with contempt when they last met.

That suggests that Olympic Glory will have to under perform significantly to get beaten, and although Frankie Dettori is yet to win on him in two rides this looks a golden opportunity for the pair to make it third time lucky.

Hannon also runs Montiridge, the mount of Richard Hughes, who is rated 10lb inferior to Olympic Glory.

The son of Ramonti is a very useful sort, who won two Listed events and a Group 3 contest last season.

The four-year-old got beat 3 3/4 lengths by Tullius on his seasonal reappearance on soft ground at Sandown, but may well turn the tables with the better ground sure to suit.

Verrazano is fascinating runner on his first start for Aidan O’Brien and may well prove to be the biggest danger to Olympic Glory.

The colt was successful six times in the USA last year when trained by Todd Pletcher, and those successes included two Grade 1 contests.