Fencing can make mark in Lockinge

Declaration of War makes his first Group One start today (Getty images)

Heavy support during the week suggests a new officer is ready for promotion to the elite corps at Ballydoyle.

After just six career starts, Declaration Of War is certainly entitled to a fresh peak in the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury today. But he is a pretty short price for his first start in Group One company, leaving some tempting value about one or two of his rivals.

Beauty Parlour is one, having looked exceptional in her Classic campaign before plainly not showing her form on her debut for Sir Henry Cecil. She is fancied to show her true colours this time, but even better odds are available about Fencing (3.50). Long treated like a proper horse by his top stable, he seemed to have got his act together when impressing on his reappearance at Ascot. That was his first start as a gelding, and he duly remains entitled to more progress than most in this field.

John Gosden, the trainer of Fencing, began his career in the United States and will doubtless be tuning in to watch the second leg of the American Triple Crown in Baltimore tonight. Orb, the Kentucky Derby winner, is favourite to set up a crack at a first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978.

Gosden sent out Winsili to win a Listed race on her return at Newbury yesterday but the biggest prize of the afternoon, the Qipco Yorkshire Cup, was won by Glen’s Diamond in an all-out photo with the French raider, Top Trip. Trained by Richard Fahey, he was a second shock winner for the host county in 24 hours, following the success of Libertarian in the Dante Stakes. He is owned by Glen Clayton, who said: “I wanted a diamond ring but I got the horse instead – and he’s been more fun.”

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