Turf Talk: Dutch Connection on course for Lockinge

The four-year-old went down by only a neck to Toormore in the bet365 Mile after a terrific duel in the final two furlongs.

“Dutch Connection has come out of Sandown very well and will now go to Newbury,” said Hills.

“I think he is up to that level and quicker ground will suit because he has plenty of speed. The horse who beat him at Sandown was second last year when arguably unlucky.

“Dutch Connection has obviously done his winning at places like Ascot, so the straight track will suit. All being well, I think we have got a good chance.”

Richard Hannon’s Toormore, runner-up 12 months ago, also features among 31 acceptors for the Group One over the straight mile.

The Henry Candy-trained Limato is ante-post favourite despite not having run over as far as a mile yet.

Other high-profile possibles include Roger Charlton’s Time Test and the Clive Cox-trained Kodi Bear. Among others in the mix are Group One-winning females Amazing Maria and Arabian Queen as well as recent winners Mahsoob and Home Of The Brave.

There are five Irish-trained entries going forward, including last year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Endless Drama, trained by Ger Lyons and four from Aidan O’Brien’s yard – Cougar Mountain, Dick Whittington, Sir Isaac Newton and The Happy Prince.

There is a supplementary stage on May 9 when horses can be entered at a cost of £16,000.

l Mizzou just held off the persistent challenges of Clever Cookie and Flying Officer to win back-to-back renewals of the Longines Sagaro Stakes yesterday. The winner was given a 10-1 quote (from 16s) for the Ascot Gold Cup by Betfred.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

BANGOR: 5.45 On The Road, 6.15 Ballycoe, 6.50 Broome Lane, 7.20 Mere Anarchy, 7.50 Vive Le Roi, 8.20 Broken Eagle.

CHEPSTOW: 1.45 Opera Lad, 2.15 Miss Ranger, 2.50 Girling, 3.25 Lewisham, 4.00 Medburn Dream, 4.30 Tim The Taxi, 5.05 Thimaar, 5.40 Jezza.

FONTWELL: 4.50 On The Road, 5.25 Money Talks, 5.55 Orchard Park, 6.30 Agincourt Reef, 7.00 Slowfoot, 7.35 Salut Honore, 8.05 Blue Sire.

LINGFIELD: 2.05 Faintly, 2.40 Red Flute, 3.15 Fairy Pools, 3.45 Recognition, 4.15 Equally Fast, 4.45 Banish (treble), 5.20 Red Cossack.

MUSSELBURGH: 1.55 La Asomada, 2.30 Red Savina, 3.05 Ellaal, 3.35 Competent, 4.10 Henley, 4.40 Gold Flash, 5.15 Bajan Rebel

PUNCHESTOWN: 3.40 Hasty Times, 4.20 Solita, 4.55 Bonny Kate, 5.30 MY TENT OR YOURS (NAP), 6.05 Jer’s Girl (next best), 6.40 Three Wise Men, 7.10 Crazyheart, 7.45 Marito.