Palace Pier reigns supreme in the Lockinge Stakes as Frankie Dettori hails him ‘one of the best’ he has ridden

PALACE Pier is the new king of the milers after a glittering display in the Lockinge at Newbury.

A strong Group 1 field were left eating his dust as he cruised clear for a seventh career win under Frankie Dettori.

Palace Pier was an impressive winner at Newbury on Saturday

And the legendary Italian jockey grinned: “He is one of the best milers I’ve ever ridden.”

There was rarely a moment’s worry for punters who’d taken the 1-2 about John Gosden’s top-class four-year-old.

He settled well towards the rear of midfield, and when angled out for his run he breezed into the lead in a matter of strides.

It was a matter of ‘how-far’ from the two-furlong pole, and Dettori, 50, was able to coast across the line for the fifth Lockinge win of his career.

Dettori said: “He usually hits a flat spot between the three and the two, but today he just took off.

“I hit the front a bit too early, but he went away from them and won like a really good horse.

“He has only run eight times and he is getting better. He is a wonderful athlete and he has a great temperament.

“We are going to have an exciting season with him. We are blessed to have a horse like him, he puts a smile on your face.”

Dettori reckons Palace Pier is one of the best he has ridden

Frankie has won the Lockinge fives times during his career

Palace Pier will head to the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot next, with Coral making him a red-hot 4-5 favourite.

Gosden added: “He is a lovely horse and we will go to Royal Ascot next.

“He is different to his dad Kingman, who was a very speedy miler. This lad could easily step up in trip later in the season.”

Improving mare Lady Bowthorpe, owned by top music agent Emma Banks, ran a screamer to finish second at 22-1, well clear of Top Rank in third.

Banks grinned: “There were some amazing horses in that race and she ran like an absolute champ.

“I thought she might be down at the start looking out for a future boyfriend, but they might not be good enough for her because she beat them all!”

Earlier on the card, rapid improver Al Aasy annihilated a good field in the Al Rayyan Stakes and will head to the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Winning trainer William Haggas said: “He was impressive and we will find out just how good he is in the Coronation Cup.

“He is a big, powerful horse and there are some fantastic races at a mile-and-a-half for him this summer.”

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