One trainer, one jockey, one horse and one race to follow on Saturday

One trainer

Saturday is a big afternoon for John and Thady Gosden as the pair saddle two of the stars of Clarehaven stables at Newbury.

Palace Pier is the presumptive best miler in Europe heading into this season, and will be a short-priced favourite to add the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes (3.35) to his already glittering list of big-race wins.

Injury derailed much of Logician's 2020 season but the Gosdens will be hoping for better from the 2019 St Leger winner as he begins his season in the Group 3 Al Rayyan Stakes (2.25).

One jockey

Charlie Appleby went 12 days without a winner until Hurricane Lane's success in the Dante on Thursday and James Doyle has a good book of rides for the Godolphin trainer at Newbury.

Creative Force has won twice already this season and holds leading claims in the Listed Carnarvon Stakes (1.50), while Tamborrada puts his unbeaten record on the line in the London Gold Cup (3.00).

Doyle also rides A'Shaari in the Listed Fillies' Trial Stakes (4.10) and Path Of Thunder (4.45), who makes his first start back in Britain after one run in Dubai over the winter.

Century Dream: looking for a top-level breakthrough at NewburyCredit: Edward Whitaker

In the feature Lockinge Stakes (3.35), Doyle also rides live outsider Century Dream for Simon and Ed Crisford.

One horse

Al Aasy put in a superb display on his reappearance in the Group 3 John Porter Stakes at Newbury last month and looks to take another step forward in the Al Rayyan Stakes (2.25).

Al Aasy: can the five-year-old return to winning ways at Ascot?Credit: Edward Whitaker

The four-year-old finished last season with a resounding defeat at Glorious Goodwood but his return this season hinted he could be a real force over middle distances.

A win will have William Haggas thinking of either the Coronation Cup at Epsom or the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot – he holds entries for both.

One race

The Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (3.35) is the first Group 1 of the season for older horses and this year's running has all the elements to be right out of the top drawer.

Palace Pier is clearly the one to beat but Lope Y Fernandez, My Oberon and Top Rank all won on their reappearances this season and should prove tough nuts for the favourite to crack.

Safe Voyage, Century Dream and Lord Glitters fly the flag for the older horses, while Dahlia Stakes winner Lady Bowthorpe would prove a popular winner for William Jarvis.

If you want more on the weekend's racing . . .

2021 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes: the runners, the odds, the verdict

Confirmed runners and riders for Saturday's Lockinge Stakes at Newbury

Confirmed runners and riders for the French 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas on Sunday

Quarantine nightmare for Cieren Fallon as The Lir Jet misses French Guineas

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