Canford Cliffs back to his best with Richard Hughes

Canford Cliffs returned to action in champion fashion with a brilliant performance in the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Last season's top three-year-old miler toyed with the opposition in the hands of Richard Hughes as he defeated Italian raider Worthadd by a length and a quarter.

Premio Loco was a gallant third behind the 4-5 winner, trained by Richard Hannon, while Twice Over faded out of contention after making the early running.

"I'm privileged to ride him every morning. He's awesome. It's good he's settling so well, but I'd like to see a little more fire," said Hughes. "He'll improve from that."

Hannon added: "He's been a long time off the track and he'll come on for that. He'll go to Royal Ascot now (for the Queen Anne]. We don't mind taking on Goldikova, she's getting old, and Frankel, too, some time - bring them on. He's the best horse I've ever had. The ground was bit quick for Dick Turpin and I was a bit worried for Canford Cliffs, too, but he handled it great."

Tom Queally tried to make it a true test to help his mount, Twice Over, who is better over further, but he could not shake off the opposition and had Worthadd and Red Jazz for company. Canford Cliffs and his stablemate Dick Turpin were just off the pace and after Worthadd went on two furlongs out, Hughes had the move covered on the hot favourite. And Canford Cliffs did not disappoint as he cruised alongside the leader before pulling away in the style of a top-drawer performer to give Hughes and Hannon back-to-back victories in this Group One race, after Paco Boy 12 months ago.