Horse Racing: Paco Boy seizes chance to show he's miles better

A YEAR after he was supposed to demonstrate that he was the supreme miler, Paco Boy finally did it yesterday in the Group 1 totesport.com Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

It was in this race last year that the much-touted star of Richard Hannon's stable flopped, but afterwards it was found that he had raced with an infected foot, and the horse later proved his worth in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot before finishing runner-up in the Sussex Stakes.

Having comfortably won the bet356 Mile at Sandown last month, he was sent off the odds-on 8-11 favourite for this year's Lockinge, and his backers knew they had their money safe some way out.

Stimulation went to the front early while Paco Boy's jockey Richard Hughes' main problem was trying to stop the son of Desert Style running away with himself.

With the pack around him, Hughes sat still as Paco Boy picked up speed. Ouqba flew inside the final furlong, but Hughes had timed things to perfection and when asked for his effort, Paco Boy accelerated and was always in command, winning by just under a length.

Lord Shanakill plugged on for third, a further three and a half lengths adrift of the brilliant winner.

Hannon said: "He's always been one of my all-time favourites. We will go for the Queen Anne next and then the Sussex Stakes and the Prix de la Foret later on."

Hughes said: "I'm delighted for the horse – he deserved it to show how good he is. He was brilliant, and I virtually won it on the bridle."

Also at Newbury, Green Point led from start to finish to win the totescoop6 London Gold Cup for jockey Jamie Spencer and trainer Harry Dunlop.