Rosallion is key contender in Lockinge Stakes frame

ROSALLION can secure victory in the BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes (2.35pm) at Newbury this afternoon.

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Richard Hannon’s four-year-old can make his eagerly-awaited return from almost a year off the track by winning the Group One feature at the Berkshire track.

Having won the Group One Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp on his final start as a juvenile in October 2023, Rosallion took high rank during his three-year-old campaign last year.

Although the son of Blue Point could only finish second to the reopposing Notable Speech in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last May, he did grab Classic glory in the Irish version at the Curragh when beating stable-mate Haatem by ahead.

After that he turned the form around with Notable Speech when winning the Group One St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, scoring by a neck from Henry Longfellow with the Godolphin Classic hero back in fifth.

Sadly, he was withdrawn from another clash with Notable Speech in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, before an injury issue kept him off the track for the rest of the season.

He will be making his return following 333 days off the track and although he is likely to improve for his seasonal reappearance, connections appear happy with the four-year-old and if he is fully ready he can get the better of Notable Speech again with Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini - bidding for a hat-trick of wins this season following a Listed success at Doncaster and in the Group Two bet365 Mile at Sandown - rating a big danger to Rosallion.