Timeform's Lockinge Stakes Verdict: Modern Games is rock-solid

Lockinge Stakes
15:35 Newbury, Saturday
Live on ITV

1. Berkshire Shadow (Andrew Balding/ Oisin Murphy)
Smart performer who made it two from two on the all-weather this year in a valuable event at Newcastle six weeks ago but is firmly up against it back at this level on his return to turf.

2. Checkandchallenge (William Knight/ Andrea Atzeni)
Smart colt who won a Group 3 over a mile at Deauville last season and was also a good two-and-a-half lengths fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on his final start of the campaign. Shaped as if needing the run when fourth, beaten five and a quarter lengths, by Mutasaabeq at Newmarket on his return but is likely to find a few too good once again at this level.

3. Chindit (Richard Hannon/ Pat Dobbs)
Landed the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot last year and looked as good as ever when taking advantage of a drop in class in a listed race there on his return. Was a good third in this last season, albeit proving no match for Baaeed, and making the frame is probably the best he can hope for once again.

4. Jadoomi (Simon & Ed Crisford/ James Doyle)
Low-mileage five-year-old who made up for lost time last season, completing the hat-trick in the Group 2 Boomerang Stakes over a mile at Leopardstown in September, making all to score by four lengths. Reportedly finished lame when an excellent third in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on his final start and is much respected.

5. Jumby (Eve Johnson Houghton/ Charles Bishop)
Smart performer at six and seven furlongs who gained a fifth career success in the Hungerford Stakes over seven furlongs here in August. Has failed to land a meaningful blow on his last four starts, however, and was typically slowly away at Newmarket on his return. Has plenty to find at this level and his stamina is not assured.

6. Light Infantry (David Simcock/ Jamie Spencer)
Finished runner-up twice at Group 1 level in France last summer, including when pushing Inspiral close in the Prix Jacques le Marois. Holds claims on that form and should prove sharper for his comeback run at Newmarket when a three-length third behind the penalised Mutasaabeq. Not taken lightly.

7. Lusail (Richard Hannon/ Ryan Moore)
Dual Group 2 winner as a two-year-old in 2021, with his wins including the Gimcrack at York. Is without a win since, though, for all he has proved consistent, and was beaten a length when fourth to Chindit in a listed race at Ascot earlier this month. Easy to look elsewhere.

8. Modern Games (Charlie Appleby/ William Buick)
Four-time international Grade/Group 1 winner, including three last season in the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp, Woodbine Mile in Canada and Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland. Was left with too much to do when runner-up in a Grade 1 at Keeneland on his return last month and there's a good chance he can make amends here.

9. Mutasaabeq (Charles Hills/ Jim Crowley)
Very smart miler who is two from two in blinkers, making all to land the Joel Stakes on his final start as a four-year-old and doing likewise in another Group 2 at Newmarket on his return. Well worth another shot at this level.

10. My Prospero (William Haggas/ Tom Marquand)
High-class colt who signed off last season with an excellent third behind Bay Bridge and Adayar in the Champion Stakes at Ascot. Is the form pick on that effort and should make a better four-year-old but this trip is short of his optimum.

11. The Wizard of Eye (Stan Moore/ Kieran Shoemark)
Useful colt but will find this company far too demanding.

12. Triple Time (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan)
Progressed well as a two-year-old in 2021 and produced a smart performance when completing the hat-trick in a Group 3 over a mile at Haydock on his belated return last September. Had excuses at Longchamp the following month and remains unexposed, but this is a tough ask.

13. Laurel (John & Thady Gosden/ Frankie Dettori)
Well-regarded filly who easily won her first two starts in novices before running a massive race on only her third outing when runner-up in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket, where her lack of experience cost her victory. Comfortably landed the odds in a listed race at Kempton on her return and has more to come.