Rockstar Icon makes a swift return to action this afternoon as he heads to Lingfield for the Class 4 Handicap (14:45) over seven furlongs.

Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track with the team and Rockstar Icon's lucky owners for the day across our social channels on X (@coral) and Instagram (@coralofficial).

Raceday LIVE Preview

Rockstar Icon is set to make it two runners in two days for the Coral Racing Club this afternoon as he heads to Lingfield for a return to all-weather action.

The club's lightly raced three-year-old was seen just over a week ago at Glorious Goodwood where he was having his first run in almost three months following a minor setback, and although he came home in last place, we believe there was plenty of positives to take from the race.


Rockstar Icon in the parade ring at Goodwood

Firstly, as we mentioned, it was his first run in almost three months following a breathing issue, so he was likely to come on for the run at Goodwood, and the reports from Whatcombe Stables are supportive of that, plus the fact he's been entered to run again so soon can only be a positive sign.

Secondly, he travelled very well for the majority of the race, which was the first time he was stepping up to the mile trip, and despite facing some interference up the home straight, it was only after they entered the final furlong or so that his tank began to empty and that was when jockey Jim Crowley just allowed him to come home in his own time.

And lastly, despite it being such a big occasion, Rockstar Icon handled the environment and atmosphere incredibly well for a three-year-old, showing no signs of immaturity, which was something Jim was keen to praise after the race.

WATCH: Raceday Highlights from Glorious Goodwood

Going back to Rockstar Icon's run at Newmarket on 2000 Guineas Day in May, we still retain the hope that he's got plenty of improvement to come, and trainer Oliver Cole was keen to echo this sentiment in his post-race interview at Goodwood saying that "he's a good horse" and that he thinks he's got a "big handicap" in him.

Today at Lingfield Rockstar Icon steps back down to seven furlongs, which will suit him much better and we know he handles the course well following his emphatic victory there on New Year's Eve last year.

WATCH: Rockstar Icon dominates from the front at Lingfield

Coral Racing Ambassador, David Probert, was in the saddle that day, but today Oliver Cole has booked the services of another top jockey in Sean Levey who has been having an excellent season so far following victories in both the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes with Rosallion. Sean comes to Lingfield fresh off the back of Group 3 success in the Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday where he rode Lake Victoria for Aidan O'Brien, and he also landed a winner yesterday evening at Windsor.

Raceday Message from Oliver Cole

"Rockstar Icon came out of his Goodwood race in good form, as it was his first run for three months we knew he’d need the run, and sure enough he ran well for a long time, before just tiring. We can expect him to come on lots for that run, he’ll be a lot fitter for it, and we’ve just had to keep him ticking over at home as it really brought him on. 

He’s won over this course and distance before, so we know he likes the track and surface, and we’re drawn well in stall three. We have a new jockey on board in Sean Levey, he’s a top rider and the horse is a very straightforward ride. Sean will be the fifth jockey to ride him in his six starts, so there are no concerns on that score. 

He was actually dropped a couple of pounds for his Goodwood, and off a mark of 78 I am really looking forward to seeing him in action here, I would certainly be hopeful of a very big run."

Trainer and Jockey Statistics

Paul & Oliver Cole have been quiet of late in terms of total runners (8), and their last winner was Great Chieftain at Glorious Goodwood in the race that Rockstar Icon contested in. However, since they officially became dual licence holders, Paul & Oli have only sent seven horses to Lingfield, of which two have won (29% SR), including Rockstar Icon, with a further three hitting the crossbar in second place.

Sean Levey has a lot of experience at the all-weather track having had over 100 rides there so far in his career, and from those he's had 15 winners (13% SR) and another 29 finish either second or third. Despite only having two winners in his last 27 rides, as mentioned earlier, both of them came in the past few days, so hopefully Sean can continue his recent good run of form today. 

Rockstar Icon's Owners for the Day

As winners of the Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Rockstar Icon's run at Lingfield this afternoon.

Each winner, along with a guest of their choosing, will receive free entry to Lingfield Racecourse, including exclusive access to Owners & Trainers areas. They'll have the opportunity to meet Rockstar Icon and the Paul & Oliver Cole team, plus get to head into the parade ring before the race begins to be amongst all the other owners, trainers and jockeys. And last but by no means least, each winner will get to take home an equal 10% split of any prize money won by Rockstar Icon.

Prize Money

Today's Class 4 contest is worth £7,000 in total, with the winner set to scoop £4,972.30 for their lucky owners.

2nd: £2,333.20 | 3rd: £1,165.65 | 4th: £583.30 | 5th: £290.70

Racing Post | Spotlight Comment on Rockstar Icon

C&D win in late December, his third start (sole AW run); better drawn than Pressure's On when just in front of him at Newmarket in May and he has since finished down the field at Goodwood; others perhaps better handicapped.

Today's Opposition

 

• Pressure's On was last seen coming home in eighth place at Newmarket in the same race Rockstar Icon finished 5th in. He was a winner on the AW as a two-year-old over seven furlongs so perhaps the return to that surface could see him in a better light.
  
  
• Ahlain could prove to be one of the biggest threats in today's race as James Tate's filly has some of the best AW form in the field, including an impressive win at Kempton in February in a 0-85 handicap. She's only had one run this season which was in a listed race at Carlisle (finished last), but she's another one who will appreciate the return to a synthetic track. 
  
  
• Purefoy is another C&D winner who reappeared in April with a bang under today's jockey Oisin Murphy, but the three-year-old gelding hasn't been able to replicate that form on the turf since. He's drawn well in stall 2 and he may look to try and make all again.

    LINGFIELD 14:45 – LATEST BETTING HERE    

We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 14:45 to watch Rockstar Icon's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.