Hi all,
With the Epsom and of course Royal Ascot on the horizon. It’s fair to say this weekend is one of the quieter ones of the summer. There’s some decent fare with the best of the action at Haydock with the Listed Achilles Stakes (1:45) and two Group 3’s the Pinnacle Stakes (2:50) and the John Of Gaunt Stakes (3:30) the highlights of a seven race card.
The juveniles are the stars of the show at Beverley with the Hilary Needler Trophy (2:05) and bet365 Two-Year-Old Trophy (3:15). Prince Of Lir won the Two-Year-Old Trophy on his racecourse debut in 2016 before going onto win the Norfolk Stakes so there could be some Royal Ascot clues on offer.
The best of the action from Haydock, Beverley and Chester is live on ITV.
Haydock
1:45 – Betfred Nifty Fifty Achilles Stakes (Listed Race) – 5f
Dragon Symbol developed into a smart sprinter last season when trained by Archie Watson. Ran like the run was needed when a well beaten 7th of 9 in the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes at York last time. That was the 4-year-old’s start for new trainer Roger Varian, and this represents a big drop in class to the races he’s been contesting in the past 12 months. Should Dragon Symbol underperform again the ones most likely to take advantage are Clarendon House and Raasel. Just a head separated the pair when they were second & first respectively at Goodwood two starts back. Clarendon House has since gone onto finish a 4 ¼ length fourth of 8 in a Group 3 at Longchamp. He wasn’t the quickest away that day and could still prove he’s up to winning in pattern company. Raasel a big improver in handicap company last autumn and so far, this season is 5lb worse off with Clarendon House but he ran another good race when 3-length 2nd of 13 at York last time. Has 11lb to find with a back to form Dragon Symbol but his progressed may not have levelled off yet and he deserves to take his chance in Listed company.
2:20 – Betfred Double Delight Handicap – 1m 4f
The William Haggas trained Mahrajaan who is capable of better as a 4-year-old, but he faces several inform horses on his return to action. Forza Orta maintained his recent improvement when a 1 length 2nd of 11 at York last time and should be thereabouts. Contact won at Newmarket last time. He’s up 5lb for that success but is going the right way and remains on a competitive mark.
Kelly’s Dino won the Old Newton Cup over C&D in 2019 but he hasn’t run for 720-days so will probably need the run. Likewise, Rock Eagle hasn’t been the easiest to keep sound with the 7-year-old returning from a 421-day break. If trainer Ralph Beckett was in better form, I would be quite interested in his chance. Fitness may not be an issue as the geldings’ form figures are 12 when returning from a 365+ day layoff. Beckett also has a good record with his 4-year-old+ horses at the track 6 winners from 21 runners 29% +13.5 10 placed 48%.
David Probert has been booked for the Eve Johnson Houghton trained HMS President. The 5-year-old doesn’t have the best of win strike rates just 1 win from 19 starts on turf. He ran well when a 6 length fourth of 16 at Ascot last time. He’s frustrating but has plenty of ability and is on a good mark when all the cards fall right. Looks a solid each-way contender.
2:55 – Betfred Pinnacle Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) – 1m 4f
Nell Quickly went through the handicap ranks last season winning her last three starts. Has the potential to improve further as a 4-year-old and her trainer won this race in 2015. Can’t be dismissed on her first start in pattern company and if she gets a bit of juice in the ground. The Jessica Harrington trained filly Climate looks to have improved from three to four and put in a career best on RPR’s when a 1 ¼ length 4th of 6 to Dreamloper in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes (1m 1f) at Newmarket last time. Yet to race beyond 1m 2f but her pedigree gives plenty of hope that she might stay 1m 4f. Noon Star was a shade disappointing in Group 2 company at York last time but shapes like she will be suited by a step back up to 1m 4f. Sea La Rosa won four times in a excellent 3-year-old campaign, ending last season with a win in a Listed race on the all-weather at Lingfield. She’s another capable of further progress as 4-year-old. Lady Hayes was a 1 ¼ length 2nd of 9 to Alpinista in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks over C&D last July. The 4-year-old has returned in good form, finishing a neck 2nd of 7 in a Listed race at Goodwood last month. Is unexposed over 1m 4f but might be better on softer ground.
3:30 – Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes (Group 3) – 7f
Kinross bounced back to his best when winning this race last year and then following up in a Group 2 at Goodwood. He’s well suited to a strongly run 7f on an easy surface. However, he wasn’t disgraced when a 4 ½ length 9th of 20 in the Group 1 Sprint on Champions Day at Ascot. Given he was denied a clear run between the final two furlongs he might well have finished in the places that day. Not sure how. He goes well off a break but may not want the ground to dry out too much before pastime. Happy Power was ½ length behind Kinross at Goodwood. Another specialist at 7f he made it 6-14 over the trip when seeing off two rivals in a Listed race at Leicester last time. Ground versatile he’s got a chance in an opening looking race as does the front running Pogo who can be hard to pass if getting his own way out in front and will be suited by the drying ground. Spycatcher was a 2 ¾ lengths second of 9 to Highfield Princess in the Duke of York Stakes at York last time. He’s 0-5 over 7f but stays the trip well enough. Laneqash is another suited by a sound surface. He’s a smart performer at his best although he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. He’s been gelded over the winter and is lightly raced enough to take think we might not have seen the best of him.
Beverley
It’s good to firm, good in places at Beverley and you would expect it to be quick on Saturday for the arrival of the ITV cameras the East Yorkshire track.
2:05 – Hilary Needler Trophy Fillies’ Conditions Stakes (Class 2) – 5f
Absolutelyflawless made it 2-2 when coming off a strong pace to win at Chester earlier this month. The filly is open to further progress and if she’s as effective on quick ground as soft is the one to beat. Parr Five caused a bit of a shock when winning on her racecourse debut at Doncaster14-days ago. She’s open to plenty more improvement and has definite claims. Distinguished Lady cost 400,000gns at the Breeze-up in April and wasn’t subjected to hard race when a 7 ¾ length 3rd of 10 at Newmarket 14-days ago. She could come on plenty for that run and the yard won this in 2016.
2:40 – bet365 Handicap (Class 3) – 7 ½ f
Percy’s Lad has won both this season’s starts from the front. Up 6lb for his latest success at Nottingham but William Buick has been booked and he’s got a handy draw in stall 3. Wobwobwob looked like he would benefit from a return to 7f when a ½ length 4th of 10 at Thirsk on his seasonal return. Ran respectably from a low draw when a 3 ¾ lengths 8th of 22 to Dakota Gold at York (6f) last time. The return to further and a slight ease in grade from last time should see him bang there. Ugo Gregory is 3-6 over C&D. He was in good form last autumn winning here and at York. The handicapper has given him a chance though after three low key runs this season as he’s now 2lb below his last winning mark and could be ready strike. David O’Meara has two contenders in Arranmore and Blue For You. The former has finished runner-up over C&D, including ½ length runner-up to Ugo Gregory last September. He ran like something was amiss when folding tamely over an extended mile on his seasonal return. Cheekpieces left off last time return. Blue For You a Leopardstown handicap winner for Dermot Weld last July is having his first start for the O’Meara yard following 65,000 gns move. No headgear for his stable debut but the 4-yer-old should be placed to win races by his shrewd trainer.
3:15 – bet365 Two-Year-Old Trophy Conditions Stakes (Colts & Geldings) (Class 2)
Whistle And Flute a winner at Bath on his racecourse debut is the form pick on his improved 1 ¼ length second of 5 to Bakeel at Ascot last month. JM Jungle improved for his racecourse debut when getting up close to home to win at Hamilton last time. He’s likely capable of further progress for a yard that won this race 12 months ago. Chateau, Corporate Raider and Rogue Spirithave all just had the one start. Chateau shaped like he would better over 6f when a good 1 ¼ length third of 5 at Salisbury 16-days ago. Beverley’s stiff 5f will suit, as will the forecast strong pace. Capable of better and has claims from stall 4 with William Buick booked. Rogue Spirit made all to win over C&D on his racecourse debut. Another open to further improvement and has a handy low draw in stall 2 to make use of. Corporate Raider cost 120,000gns as a yearling but was too green to do himself justice when a 4 ¼ length 4th of 9 at Catterick on his racecourse debut just 8-days ago. Quick turnaround and needs to have improved plenty. Trainer Robert Cowell won this in 2016 with Prince Of Lir who was making his debut.
4:05 – Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap (Class 3) – 6f
Zargun was back to his best, doing best of those drawn low when a ½-length 2nd of 21 to Asjad at York 6-days ago. Can race off 1lb lower here and Hollie Doyle booked. Looks sure to go close if in the same form as last time. Hollie rode Dancinginthewoods to win last season so it’s a slight concern that she’s on Zargun here. However, I still think Dancinginthewoods has a great chance here. The 5-year-old likes to come off a strong pace and is well suited to good or quicker ground. He’s down to his last winning mark and would likely have won if he had got a clear run when a ¾ length 4th of 12 to Gale Force Maya on his seasonal return at Newmarket two starts back. Not seen to best effect after a slow start at Leicester last time but remains in good form. If the application of the first time cheekpieces have the desired and the cards fall right then I think he’s a great chance here on quickish ground.
Chester
3:45 – CM Stellar Sports Handicap (Class 2) – 7 ½ f
Boardman in great form early last season has returned to action as good as ever winning two of his four starts. Unlucky with the draw when only 5th of 10 here two starts back he’s since gone onto win a shade cosily at Thirsk two weeks ago. Nudged up 3lb for that win but more than capable of defying his new mark out of stall 2. Looks a worthy market leader. Dual course winner Fools Rush In made a solid start for new trainer Hugo Palmer when a 1-length 4th of 10 over C&D earlier this month. He was a neck in front of Boardman that day and gets 3lb from the favourite today and could get the race run to suit. Oh This Is Us is another dual C&D winner. The 9-year-old almost look advantage of some leniency from the handicapper when a 1-length 3rd of 10 to Boardman at Haydock (7f) two starts back. Wasn’t in the same form last time when last of 7 over a mile at Newbury two weeks ago. The return to 7f and going around a bend should be more to his liking. He gets a 6lb pull with Boardman now which entitles him to go close which he can do if in a going mood.
Betting Advice:
Haydock
2:20 – HMS President – 10/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
2:55 – Nell Quickly – 7/1 @ Bet365
3:30 – Laneqash – 13/2 @ Bet365
4:05 – Dancinginthewoods – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Beverley
2:40 – Blue For You – 8/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
3:15 – JM Jungle – 13/2 @ Bet365
Chester
3:45 – Oh This Is Us – 6/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
Cheers
John