2016 Lockinge Stakes: Runner by runner guide

Lockinge Stakes - 15:55

Arod (Peter Chapple-Hyam) - Developed into very smart miler last season on good ground or firmer and only beaten a length into third behind Night of Thunder in this contest. Also excellent second to Solow in Sussex Stakes after wins in lesser pattern company at Epsom and Ascot. Made most but only third to GM Hopkins in listed race at Ascot on reappearance and conditions look to have gone against him.

Barchan (Roger Varian) - First start for this stable was as pacemaker for Belardo at Sandown last month and set for same role here.

Belardo (Roger Varian) - Dewhurst winner at two who failed to add to that success at three, though ended year with career-best second to Solow in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. Easier task in listed race at Doncaster on return and can be forgiven latest effort when fourth to Toormore in muddling bet365 Mile at Sandown when left with too much ground to make up. Leading contender, particularly now that the rain has come.

Dutch Connection (Charles Hills) - Jersey Stakes winner at Royal Ascot last year who was second afterwards in Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly and Lennox Stakes at Goodwood, beaten three-quarters of a length by Toormore in latter. Found same rival neck too good in bet365 Mile at Sandown on reappearance, which was an encouraging effort, but work to do to turn tables on slightly worse terms here, while probably could have done without recent rain too.

Endless Drama (Ger Lyons) - Very lightly-raced colt, winner of his only start at two in a maiden at Naas and then runner-up all three starts last year. Ran Gleneagles to three-quarters of a length in Irish 2000 Guineas (Belardo fourth) but wasn't seen out again. Strapping sort who's completely unexposed but tough race to return in after almost a year off (missed intended return due to heavy ground).

Gabrial (Richard Fahey) - Lincoln winner last year who was placed several times in better company later on, notably when third to Solow at long odds in both Sussex Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Been typically busy already this season (respectable fourth in last week's Huxley Stakes) but easy enough to oppose.

GM Hopkins (John Gosden) - Successful in Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot last summer and made winning return in listed race over the same course and distance (Arod third) last month. Upped in class here, but form very much warrants it and no surprise if he acquits himself well.

Johnny Barnes (John Gosden) - Gained a Group 3 success at Deauville last summer in Prix Quincey but little impact in France subsequently in 2015. Shaped as though better for run when fourth to Home of The Brave in listed race at Leicester on return but plenty on in this company.

Kodi Bear (Clive Cox) - Very smart colt who hit top form last August, winning Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury and Celebration Mile at Goodwood. Not the strongest renewal of latter race (Gabrial runner-up), but looked interesting rival to Solow in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot only for little to go right, refusing to settle and hanging left. Acts on soft ground, and place chances if somewhere near best for return.

Limato (Henry Candy) - High-class gelding who's yet to finish worse than second in his career. Successfully stepped up from six to seven furlongs at end of last year, winning well-contested Park Stakes at Doncaster before strong-finishing second in Prix de la Foret at Longchamp, just in front of Toormore. Won on good to soft at Doncaster but could have ideally done without testing conditions for first try at a mile.

Mahsoob (John Gosden) - Proved smart over a mile and a quarter around this time last year before losing unbeaten record when stepped up to a mile and a half. Better than ever over nine furlongs when making winning reappearance in Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket and lightly raced enough to go on again. Dropped further in trip but travels strongly and better equipped than some of these if conditions put premium on stamina.

Toormore (Richard Hannon) - Beaten just a neck by stable-companion Night of Thunder on his reappearance in this last year, going on to success later in season in Lennox Stakes at Goodwood (from Dutch Connection) and Group 2 contest in Turkey. Comes here with run under belt this time, beating Dutch Connection again in bet365 Mile at Sandown conceding 3 lb all round, though did enjoy run of race. Likeable sort who's capable of going close again.

Euro Charline (Marco Botti) - Smart mare who was last successful in the Grade 1 Beverly D at Arlington in 2014. Runner-up at Meydan both starts this year, running as well as ever when beaten half a length by Japanese colt Real Steel in Dubai Turf last time. Return to a mile should be fine but raced mainly on good or firmer so question mark about how she'll handle softer conditions.

Timeform Lockinge Stakes 1-2-3
1. Toormore
2. Belardo
3. GM Hopkins

Timeform Analyst's Verdict 
Not a great deal to choose between most of these on Timeform ratings, though what could prove much softer ground than anticipated will inconvenience some more than others. The Godolphin-owned pair Toormore and Belardo won't mind the change in going, with slight preference for last year's runner-up, while GM Hopkins has earned a crack at this level.