NEWBURY 15:20

All 9 ran.

Time: 1m 35.71s Closing Sectional: (4f): 45s (106.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 98.7%

The first Group 1 of the campaign for older horses, this renewal looking much like last year's, with an outstanding candidate against a field that mostly come up short at this level, Baaeed scoring even more convincingly than Palace Pier had done in 2021 and taking his form up a notch in the process, this the best performance in the Lockinge since Frankel won in 2012.

BAAEED unbeaten in 6 starts at 3 yrs and extended that sequence with little difficulty after 7 months off, producing the sort of performance rarely seen at this trip in Britain since the days of Frankel (this puts him 1 lb ahead of Excelebration and Canford Cliffs and level with Kingman), and doing so in the style of one who has more to give; soon steadied, travelled well, smooth headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, quickened clear for hand riding, already firmly in control when given a tap with the whip in the final 100 yds; he's set for the Queen Anne next and will rate as banker-of-the-meeting material in that, very hard to see anything really giving him a race until he tackles the 3-y-os later in the season.

REAL WORLD (IRE) was returned to turf and wasted no time getting back to form, just running into a top-class rival, hard to see why he should turn the tables in the Queen Anne, races such as the Summer Mile perhaps his best British options this summer; in touch, travelled well, shaken up 2f out, hung left, kept on, took second 1f out, no impression on winner.

CHINDIT (IRE) proved at least as good as ever, not so free as he had been at Doncaster, needing no excuses, just beaten by a pair with better form, little reason to think he can reverse it if he takes his chance in the Queen Anne; led, shaken up under 2f out, headed soon after, no extra inside final 1f.

ALCOHOL FREE (IRE) with a red hood in the preliminaries, rather than one in the race, was on her toes beforehand and ran below her best again, yet to convince that she's as good as she was; held up, raced freely, headway over 2f out, chased leaders after, weakened inside final 1f.

SIR BUSKER (IRE) ran creditably, this race suiting him better than the listed one he contested at Ascot last time, fifth earning his connections another £9,000, just 10% of his turf prize money coming from wins; slowly into stride, in rear, took strong hold, still plenty to do over 2f out, kept on well final 1f, nearest at the finish.

SUNRAY MAJOR up still further in grade, ran to a similar level as last time, entered in the Queen Anne, but yet to bridge the gap from handicaps to pattern events, perhaps the Royal Hunt Cup a better option for him at Royal Ascot; held up, travelled well, effort 2f out, one paced.

MOTHER EARTH (IRE) looked one of the more likely to throw down a challenge to the winner but she was below form, folding rather tamely once pressure was applied; prominent, took keen hold, shaken up over 2f out, lost place soon after.

NEW MANDATE (IRE) faced a stiffer task in this grade and was unable to build on his return; held up, raced freely, pushed along 3f out, weakened under 2f out.

ETONIAN (IRE) was below form, facing a stiff task in this company, probably better judged on his run last time, though his head carriage under pressure was a concern; pressed leader, ridden over 2f out, hung left, weakened soon after.