AFTER three cracking days at York, the attention turns to Newbury this afternoon, for an excellent seven race card.

The highlight is the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, in which a record number of 18 face the starter.

Champion trainer Richard Hannon took the race last year with Olympic Glory and this time around he saddles two runners, Toormore and last year's 2000 Guineas winner Night Of Thunder.

David O'Meara has enjoyed a fine week already, with winners' at York and he has a chance here to cap a great week with Custom Cut, a horse that has made great strides since joining The inform handler.

Speaking yesterday morning, O'Meara said: "I'm really looking forward to running him. The straight track might not be in his favour as I think he's better round a bend, and there's loads of runners, unusually for a Group One.

"He's such a fantastic horse to train and looks like he's come on again. Any more rain will be a help, we know he handles it and it might just take the sting out of a few of the others.

"He's a classy horse and has the run under his belt, which some of the others don't."

Also on the card is the Toronado Carnarvon Listed race a horse that will take a great deal of beating, if he can reproduce is old form, is Jungle Cat.

After being placed four times at Group race level, including in the Coventry and Gimcrack Stakes, last season for Middleham trainer Mark Johnston, the son of Iffraaj failed to make any impact on his comeback in the Free Handicap at Newmarket last month when trailing home last.

Appleby said: "While Jungle Cat was in need of the run last time out, it looked as though he didn't stay seven furlongs.

"We tried to hold him up to get the trip, but that didn't work so we will go with the more positive tactics Mark Johnston used and make plenty of use with him. My concern would be how much rain they get there as he wants a good sound surface."

The unbeaten Elysian Flyer, who is the mount of champion jockey Richard Hughes, will head a three-strong challenge on the race for last year's winning trainer Richard Hannon.

He will also be represented by 2014 Norfolk Stakes hero Baitha Alga and Desert Force, a winner at the course last month.

The John Gosden-trained Waady will bid to complete a four-timer and follow up a taking success at Sandown on his latest appearance, while Izzthatright will give the race some international flavour when lining up for Qatar champion trainer Jassim Al Ghazali.

Closer to home, there is an eight race card at Thirsk and a busy day for jockey Tony Hamilton who is in action in every race.

Hamilton, who is enjoying a really purple patch at present, and his best chance may come with Ballesteros in the five furlong sprint handicap.

Trained by Malton trainer Richard Fahey, the six-year-old is well handicapped on some old form and looked on his way back last time out.