Audience surprise in Lockinge at Newbury

Audience was a shock winner of the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

The 22-1 shot was very much the second string for John and Thady Gosden, with stablemate Inspiral considered the real chance for Cheveley Park Stud, who own both horses.

Big Rock was another obvious major player on his first run for Maurizio Guarnieri, but the runaway Queen Elizabeth II hero never got involved as Audience – trying a mile for the first time having been a proven Group Two/Three performer at seven furlongs – was sent to the head of the field under Robert Havlin to set the fractions early on.

The sizeable lead he had built up then began to look insurmountable, with only Roger Varian's Charyn able to give valiant chase, crossing the line a length and a quarter in arrears.

"When you know what this horse is and what he’s done, then don’t leave him alone," said John Gosden.

"He’s been working very well and I didn’t think Rab would be left in splendid isolation out in front, but I knew he would get a hell of a run out of him. I told Rab to go straight and he followed his line of mowing and no one came near him. It’s wonderful for Rab as he puts all the work in with him.

"He’s a wild boy, but he’s a horse with ability – look at the Kinross race, the City of York.

"He’s got solid Group form and he’s learnt to relax more with age, if you leave a horse like that alone he’s going to be very dangerous. We always knew he was going to be part of it and I thought he could maybe finish in the first four or five. As it was they ignored him and all got racing on the other side.

"The idea was he was there with Big Rock and softens up Big Rock, but he never really saw Big Rock. He thoroughly enjoyed himself and is a grand horse. Mrs (Patricia) Thompson kept him