WILTSHIRE trainer Richard Hannon looks to have this afternoon’s Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury sewn up with his recent impressive winner, Paco Boy.

The five-year-old, who trounced his rivals last month in the Bet 365 mile at Sandown, has been installed a short-priced favourite for Newbury’s feature race, and is reported by his connections to be in “absolutely super form”.

The trainer’s son, Richard Hannon junior, has said he could be even better this year than last, when he won the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and was reported as saying: “He is bouncing after his Sandown win and is ready to go.

“It was probably the best race of his life at Sandown and he got the trip better than the previous year when he won the race, and looks altogether a better horse. He is in great form and should run a very, very close.”

Among other attempting to win the Group One prize is the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Zacinto.

The lightly-raced four-year-old did not do himself justice in the Breeders Cup Mile, finishing last of the 11 runners.

The trainer said since his return Zacinto has thrived and the Lockinge had always been his starting point for the season.

Stoute went on to add he always rated him highly, and showed natural ability as a two-year-old.

“He has never run a bad race in his seven outings, except the one in the Breeders Cup Mile, but there was excuses for that,” he said.

“He hasn’t reached his full potential yet so we are hopeful this could be a very good year for him.”

Also in the line up will be the Group One winner Lord Shanakill, trained by Henry Cecil and ridden by stable jockey Tom Queally.

Formerly trained by Karl Burke, the four-year-old was reported to be in good form, and owner Mark Gittins said there was no reason why he shouldn’t take his chance in the race.

Others going to post is the Eve Johnson Houghton-trained The Cheka, who finished just under five lengths behind Paco Boy in the Bet365 Sandown Mile.

Lambourn trainer Barry Hills runs Ouqba, the mount of son Richard, while Tom Dascombe runs Prince Of Dance, the mount of Richard Kingscote, who could well follow Paco Boy home and perhaps a forecast could prove profitable.

The meeting gets underway at 1.25pm, with the Bathwick Tyres Maiden Stakes for three-year-olds that could go to the Henry Cecil-trained Moose Moran.

Meanwhile, the Listed Aston Park Stakes local trainer Alan King runs Shipmaster, the mount of Jamie Spencer, and could well be a good each-way bet.

The totescoop 6 London Gold Cup could be a lively betting affair, with several runners in with a shout. However, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Verdant is the column’s selection.

Once again there is plenty of action around the country with Newmarket hosting a seven-race card, where the Luca Cumani-trained Afsare is likely to be worth a bet in the three-year-old Maiden Stakes.

Yorkshire racegoers will no doubt flock to their local course at Thirsk for a seven-race card, while Doncaster stages an evening meeting getting underway at 6pm.

Jumping fans are catered for with meetings at Bangor-on-Dee and Uttoxeter.

Worth a bet at Thirsk could be Cape Quarter in the Stoneacre Ford Handicap, while at Doncaster the Manton-trained Colonel Carter may be worth an interest in the three-year-old handicap.