Second and third in G1

DAVID Simcock’s duo Lightning Spear and Breton Rock ran fine races to finish second and third in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury this afternoon.

Ribchester ran out a worthy winner having made all, but Lightning Spear put up a fine effort in defeat, while Breton Rock ran a personal best.

Lightning Spear twice finished third in Group 1s last season, including on his final start of 2016 on British Champions Day.

He improved on that in his first run of the year, travelling in fourth spot before laying down a challenge in the hands of Oisin Murphy.

Lightning Spear wasn’t able to quite land a telling blow on the winner but saw out his effort well to finish three and three quarter lengths back in the runner’s up spot.

Breton Rock, a 25.1 shot, was held up for much of the race before jockey Andrea Atzeni brought him through the field to take third place.

Lightning Spear...