Haggas happy to run Addeybb in Lockinge

Addeybb and James Doyle hope to add to their big race tally in today's Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

They’ve teamed up to land a number of early season prizes, including York’s Musidora Stakes this week with oaks prospect Give And Take.

Now they hope Addeybb can step up in class – and prove his versatility by landing today’s Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, a Group One contest won by Richard Fahey’s Ribchester 12 months ago.

For, while conditions at Doncaster were testing in late March, and at Sandown last month when the horse won the bet365 Mile,they will be quicker today at the Berkshire track.

However Skipton-born Haggas, quick to exploit Doyle’s talent when deemed surplus to requirements by Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor, is hopeful ahead of a celebrated race that has attracted 16 quality runners including Suedois for North Yorkshire trainer David O’Meara and jockey Danny Tudhope.

“He surprised me in the Lincoln with how comfortably he won, because while his work had been good and I thought he was a nice horse, I didn’t expect him to win like that,” said Haggas.

“Having done that, I hoped he would do what he did at Sandown.

“He’s a genuine horse. He’s got much better opposition and much quicker ground to cope with this weekend, but he’s done what he’s done, so why not give it a shot?

“I’m not sure about the ground, but I don’t think we’ll know until we try.

“He’s a decent horse and as a gelding we’ve hopefully got him for a few years.”

An ability to handle quicker ground holds the key to Limato.

Trained by the veteran Henry Candy, and the mount of Harry Bentley, the key is the ability of Limato – a former Group One winner – to handle quicker conditions.

“He feels great. I’m very pleased with how he is going into the race. He feels very fit and very well,” said Bentley.

“I think a mile is probably on his radar. He is relaxed and easy in his races and I don’t see why it won’t be OK for him.

“I still see him as good as he was and he certainly has a good a chance on Saturday.”

Dual Group One winner Rhododendron will spearhead a four-strong Aidan O’Brien team, with the Ballydoyle handler also represented by Deauville, Lancaster Bomber and War Decree while last year’s runner-up Lightning Spear is the mount of Oisin Murphy.