Noseda Wanting Dry Night

Jeremy Noseda is keeping his fingers crossed that the forecast rain stays away from Newbury ahead of Majors Cast's tilt at the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes tomorrow.

The five-year-old will be competing in a British Group One contest for the first time, but Noseda has no doubt the son of Victory Note is good enough to hold his own at the highest level.

The mount of Frankie Dettori twice competed in top company last year, finishing third to Starcraft in the Prix du Moulin before completing his season with a creditable fifth-placed finish in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Noseda's charge has continued on an upward curve this season after winning a three-runner Listed event at Haydock in May.

However, the Newmarket handler told www.jeremynoseda.com the prevailing wet conditions might hinder Majors Cast's chances in the one-mile event, for which he is an 11-4 chance with Coral.

'His prep race went well and he seems in tip-top order ? I'm just concerned about the ground,' said Noseda. 'I hope that it stays good at least.

'He can handle soft ground but he's a better performer on a good or better surface.

'Majors Cast is the second highest-rated horse in the race on official figures, so he is definitely worth his place in the line-up.'

The going at Newbury is currently good, good to soft in places but clerk of the course Richard Osgood has predicted further ease in the ground by Saturday.

'We are expecting between five to 10mm of rain overnight but it is more likely to be nearer to five millimetres than 10,' he explained.

Jockey Steve Drowne is unfazed by the prospect of soft ground at the Berkshire venue as Mac Love looks to go one better than last year.

The five-year-old finished runner-up to Rakti when in the care of Jon Akehurst last term and is now trained by Roger Charlton.

Drowne rode Mac Love for the first time when he finished second to Etlaala on his seasonal debut at Warwick in April and is confident the gelding can make a smooth transition stepping back up in class, and trip.

'I worked him last Saturday and he seems in cracking form,' said the jockey.

'He's got a few to beat on the ratings but he ran a great race last year and something similar would do nicely ? I would hope he runs his race.

'I'm not sure the rain would be problem as he seems to go on any ground ? it might not suit some of the others so much though.'

Sir Michael Stoute will be doubly-represented in the Lockinge with Rob Roy and Peeress.

The former, who will be ridden by Mick Kinane, sustained an injury when trailing home last in the 2000 Guineas in 2005 but is clearly back on top of his game with two wins in three starts, the last being a one-length victory in a Group Two event over a mile at Sandown in April.

Kinane usually partners Peeress but will be replaced at the helm by Kieren Fallon this time around.

The Pivotal mare finished third behind Lockinge favourite Soviet Song in the Falmouth Stakes last July but went onto win the Group One Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket in October on her penultimate start.

'We think she is in good form and we are sure she'll come on for the race,' said Chris Richardson, for owners Cheveley Park Stud.

'The ground will also be to her advantage. Like a lot of these Pivotals they tend to go well with a bit of ease in the ground.

'Soviet Song is a serious favourite ? and Rob Roy a similar threat ? and it's going to be competitive race.

'We saw last year how she can progress though so I hope that she can do similarly this year.

'It's a good starting point and we'll give it our best shot.'

Connections of New Seeker have warned Clive Cox's talented six-year-old may be withdrawn from the 10-runner line-up if there is heavy overnight rain.

'He's a horse that seems to be at his best when it is top of the ground,' said Matthew Budden, racing manager for Elite Racing Club, who also own Soviet Song.

'He's a big, heavy horse and he doesn't go as well through the mud as some of the lighter ones do.

'If it goes really soft, we would think twice about running him.'

New Seeker won twice over seven furlongs at Newbury last season, including a three-and-a-half length success in the Dubai Duty Free Cup last September, and is expected to come on for his fifth-placed finish on his seasonal bow at Leicester, ground permitting.

'He will improve from Leicester, the track will suit him really well, and there's plenty of prize money up for grabs,' added Budden.

'He's in good form and as long as the ground is not too bad, it's a race well worth having a crack with.'

Court Masterpiece, trained by Ed Dunlop, will be reunited with Hong-Kong based jockey Gerald Mosse for the Newbury feature.

The French rider was in the saddle when the six-year-old was last victorious in the Group One Prix de la Foret at Longchamp last October.

While Dunlop's charge has failed to hit such heights since, Mosse believes Court Masterpiece still has the potential to win a race like the Lockinge.

'Court Masterpiece seems to get on well with me and I think he will like the ground,' he said.

'The ground being on the soft side will not be too bad for us. He will also be helped because there is not a big field.

'It's never easy in a Group One race like that but the horse is coming to his best form now and he has already proven he has the engine to go well in the Lockinge.'

? PA Sport