Lochstar looks all set to shine

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), June 11, 2009

LOCHSONG enjoyed one of her career highlights on the Knavesmire, and her son Lochstar can evoke memories of the crack sprinter with his own victory at York.

Lochsong was the queen of speed in her day and while the bluesquare.com Stakes is far removed from the Group One Nunthorpe, Lochstar should be smart enough to strike gold.

The five-year-old has obviously had his problems in the past, but the family are typically late-maturing types and his recent Lingfield victory offers much encouragement.

Only the second win of his career, Lochstar flew out of the gates over five furlongs and was never headed as he came home a comfortable length-and-aquarter winner.

The Anabaa gelding does not have many miles on the clock for one of his age and with a confidence-boosting victory behind him, he can add another win to the family tally.

Cleaver was unfortunate to bump into an on-song rival last time out and is the pick in the Blue Square Stakes.

Beaten just over a length by Sweetheart at Goodwood, the winner gave the form a further boost when winning earlier in the week and could now head to Royal Ascot.

Cleaver was at a slight disadvantage that day as he usually races from behind so does need the cards to fall in his favour.

However, he is a classy performer on his day and certainly has enough ability for this.

The majority of Godolphin's horses are improving for an outing and Yirga can continue the trend with victory at Sandown.

He shaped with quite a bit of promise on his return from a 189-day lay off with a tongue-tie applied, just getting tapped for toe before staying on well. He should be sharper for the run and will appreciate the switch from maiden company in the Mousetrap Challenge Cup Handicap.

Perfect Silence let down favouritebackers when beaten on her seasonal bow, but those losses can be recouped in Goodwood's EBF Horseracing Members' Fillies' Stakes.

Twice a winner last season, the fouryear-old was odds-on for a third success at Leicester but could not find an extra gear in the final furlong.

The Dansili filly looked very much in need of the outing and should strip much fitter for Clive Cox this time.

Little Prudence should relish the step up to a mile and a half in the totequadpot Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Chepstow.

Bred to get every inch of this trip and more, it was no surprise to see Ralph Beckett's charge just get run out of it over 10 furlongs on her racecourse bow.

This longer trip can see her in a better light.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls does not have that many summer jumpers so the few he does persevere with merit the greatest respect.

That comment can be applied to Quell The Storm, who is owned in partnership by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

He made the most of quick ground to win at Newton Abbot last month and after running very green that day, further improvement is expected in Aintree's Cleanevent Novices' Hurdle..