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FROM the almighty Brigadier Gerard in 1972 through Kris (1980), Soviet Line (95 and 96), Hawk Wing (2003), Frankel (2012) all the way through to Baaeed (2022), the Lockinge Stakes has a very rich history and NOTABLE SPEECH can add his name to that esteemed list in this afternoon’s renewal at 2.35.

Last year’s 2,000 Guineas hero has a good record when fresh and I think you can forgive his last run in the Breeder’s Cup, as the mile at Del Mar would have been sharp enough.

With just the eight career runs to date there should be more improvement in him and I take the Godolphin charge to see off likely favourite Rosallion. Richard Hannon’s charge has been off the track fully for 333 days and has a length-and-a-half to find with the selection on that Newmarket Classic form. It could merely be a matter of which one of these classy four-year-olds take a the biggest step forward in their third season of racing.

If there is to be a big shock, then Prague could well be the one to supply it. Dylan Cunha’s charge will relish an end to end gallop and it is worth remembering that this will be only his seventh career start as well.

There is a really good supporting card at the Berkshire track and top of my list for punting purposes is the lightly raced four-year-old EL CORDOBES (12.50). He has a bit to find on the official figures with the likes of King’s Gambit and Al Aasy, but I am absolutely sure that there is much more in his locker. The son of the great Frankel remains unexposed over this trip and comes here tight fit following a fluent win in a class two handicap at Newmarket off a mark of 100. I think he will be racing in much higher class than this Group Three Aston Park Stakes by the second half of the season.

The Carnarvon Stakes for three-year-olds has plenty of strength in depth to it this year with 11 set to go to post, headed in the betting by Symbol of Honour with the layers sure to offer at least 4/1 the field. But the each-way value here could well come in the form of Ed Walker’s NOBLE CHAMPION (1.25). Set to run over six furlongs for the first time in his career, I thought he was a bit of an eye-catcher when a late running third behind Amiloc at Goodwood in the John Dunlop Conditions Stakes. I think he will get a lovely tow through this event and outstay his rivals from the distance.

As far as the handicaps are concerned, the London Gold Cup at 2.00 nearly always unearths a progressive three-year-old and I think that WAVE RIDER could fit the bill representing last year’s winning yard.

Harry Charlton’s charge has simply been crying out for a step up trip and finally gets it here. The dams’ side of the breeding line gives even more hope that the extra yardage will suit being by a Golden Horn mare and a mark of just 83 looks very playable. Aidan O’Brien rarely runs a charge in this so his Wootton Bassett colt Geneology has to be respected, while top weight Nebras and Lightening Moon are also respected.

LIKEALOT (3.10) could well be bound for the French Oaks (Prix de Diane) if she wins the Listed Childwickbury Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes in style. She was expected to win on her debut at Chelmsford in February and absolutely hosed up that day — and her breeding tells you very strongly that she needs middle distances and she is hugely interesting.

ORAZIO (3.45) is probably the best handicapped sprinter in training and it could well be that this is merely a warm-up for the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot next month, but I am happy to chance him here at the double figure price up against the likes of Cover Up and Elmonjed.

Ancient Rome is well worth bearing in mind once he returns to 10 furlongs, but the mile trip may prove a bit too sharp in the handicap at 4.20 and that leads me to go with CLASSIC.

Richard Hannon thought he would win a nice handicap with his charge last year, but he was just handicapped out of things, his best run coming with a late running sixth in the Golden Mile Handicap at Glorious Goodwood. That performance and many others last year came off marks in the mid-90s, but set to run off just 88 here, his chance is there for all to see following a good third in the Newbury Spring Cup last time out.

There is a really good card at Newmarket as well and HELM ROCK could be ready to strike in the one-mile handicap at 2.15. He certainly ran way better than his finishing position of ninth of 12 behind Dingle at Lingfield, but he was only beaten four lengths and it is surely only a matter of time before he takes advantage of his current rating of just 83 — and today could be the day.

BEST ADVENTURE was a big disappointment last year for trainer Andrew Balding, but the assessor has given him a big chance in the three-year-old handicap at 4.00. However, even more important is the step up to a galloping mile-and-a-quarter here, which should very much aid his cause.

The veteran speedster ALLIGATOR ALLEY could teach his younger rivals a lesson in the six-furlong handicap at Thirsk at 2.10, top-weight Squealer could be the danger following a rather underwhelming run of races out in Bahrain.

Later on at the North Yorkshire track, RAULIN (3.20) may defy top weight for trainer David O’Meara, while I shall also be having an interest in MIRSKY (3.55) and ALPHA MAGIC in the 7.48 at Doncaster.