Lady Bowthorpe eyes Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes glory at Newbury

Whilst Emma Banks is used to the big stage when it comes to her music acts, she is now looking forward to seeing her prized mare Lady Bowthorpe line up in this Saturday’s Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Following her win at Newmarket in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes, trainer William Jarvis immediately pinpointed this race as her next run, where she lines up in a field of 12 for the first Group 1 for older horses over a mile. Leading miler Palace Pier, the Aidan O’Brien trained Lope Y Fernandez and Lord Glitters, making his second appearance in the race, are amongst the other declarations.

William Jarvis, speaking on a QIPCO British Champions Series call, said, “I’m thrilled with her (Lady Bowthorpe), she’s come out of the Newmarket race really well. She did a nice, good swinging canter this morning and James (who rides her every day) expressed huge satisfaction with her. She feels every bit as good as she did heading into the Dahlia Stakes.”

“I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Palace Pier, he looks the stand-out horse, and Aidan wouldn’t bring Lope Y Fernandez if he didn’t think he would go close. It looks a strong field so it will have to be a personal best from her, but I think she is well capable. She comes from off the pace so I’m happy with her draw as she should be able to pop out and settle in behind a few. She handled the ground at Newmarket beautifully, but I really think good to soft will suit her.”

Also speaking on the QIPCO British Champions Series call, owner Emma Banks expressed her nerves and excitement ahead of the race, “There’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be than Newbury on Saturday to cheer her on in the Al Shaqab Lockinge. It’s a massive race, but you’ve got to be in it to win it.”

“She’s not the most straightforward of mares, she takes some managing, but I often think when you’re hugely talented, be that equine or human, you’re not easy to deal with, and that seems to be the case with all my very good horses! I am relatively new to this game, but I am lucky to be surrounded by great people who know what they are doing. I love the horses, so when they put their best run in, that is a huge win for me in its own right. It’s really exciting, I know she’ll do her best and if you don’t try, you’re never going to know.”

Jarvis added, “Emma has been a huge boost as an owner, she’s very kind and generous and all my staff love her, her enthusiasm rubs off into the yard and we love having her around.”

The Al Shaqab Lockinge is the feature race on Saturday 15 May at Newbury and will be run for its pre-Covid value of £350,000. Al Shaqab also continues their support of Newbury Racecourse through the sponsorship of the Group 3 Al Rayyan Stakes (Registered as the Aston Park), in which both Logician and Al Aasy have been declared, and the Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies’ Trial.

BetVictor will also take up sponsorship for the first time on this day with their support of four races, including the BetVictor London Gold Cup, in which 11 have been declared including the exciting Tamborrada who remains unbeaten for Goldolphin and Charlie Appleby.