Lockinge aim for Mutasaabeq after bet365 Mile win before a rematch with Native Trail in Queen Anne

Moving the bet365 Mile from Sandown was no negative for Rowley Mile specialist Mutasaabeq, who defied a penalty to put last year's Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Native Trail in his place.

Jockey Jim Crowley led the field up the middle on the 4-1 shot and sealed the win with an impressive gear change at the Bushes, just as he had when winning the Joel Stakes at the track last September.

The Shadwell Estates-owned winner was registering a fourth victory at the track and was cut to 7-1 (from 20) by Paddy Power for the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury after his three-length romp.

Trainer Charlie Hills said: "That was excellent, he has a good record here. I like the way he put the race to bed. He kicked on at the Bushes and went clear.

"He was unlucky in this race at Sandown last year and we weren't unduly worried when they switched the race here as he likes it, although there was the addition of Native Trail this time around.

"The blinkers have made the difference to him and sharpened him up and that was a good performance under a penalty. I suppose we'll have a look at the Lockinge after that and beyond that it will be the Queen Anne, which are races he deserves a crack at because he's beautifully bred. Obviously it's a week shorter into the Lockinge now, but he should be okay."

Native Trail had the benefit of a racecourse gallop at the track at the Craven meeting but was still in need of the outing. 

Trainer Charlie Appleby said of the 8-11 chance: “William Buick was pleased and he said he was just a bit rusty. You could see from the gate he was just having to chivvy him along a little bit. 

"He said he will sharpen up no end on that but he said that the most important thing was that he wanted it. He nursed him across the line given how long he has been off but he has held on for second.

"Take nothing away from the winner, he got a nice run and quickened again. I would say it would be the Queen Anne after that. Not all is lost there at all."

Read more . . .

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