Hi all,
Some good racing at Haydock today including the Listed Eternal Fillies’ Stakes (3:15) which has been moved from Carlisle.
The going at Haydock dried out on Wednesday and won’t be far away from good to firm today.
Haydock
1:45 – Likely favourite Aljady made a winning debut for new connections over C&D 16-days ago. Up 5lb for that win but expected to go close on quick ground that suits.
Motagally found 5f on the short side but still put in a good effort when runner-up at Newmarket on his seasonal return. The return to 6f and quick ground is in his favour and a bold bid can be expected.
Kimifive was travelling like the most likely winner when getting no sort of run two furlongs on his return at Newmarket 21-days ago. Drops back to 6f here, probably better at 7f, but still needs respecting as he’s clearly on a good handicap mark when all the cards fall right.
Celsius made it 3 wins from 3 runs here when winning 16-days ago. All three wins have come over the minimum trip and this is his first start over 6f since his 2-year-old days. Up 6lb and a notch in class but he’s an improver and gives the impression he will stay today’s extra furlong.
Verdict: I’m happy to take a chance that the progressive Celsius will stay the extra furlong as a 4-year-old.
1pt win – Celsius – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:15 – It looks a decent renewal of this fillies only Listed race. There are two fillies who ran in the 1000 Guineas – Under The Stars (6th) and Boomer (12th)although they were only separated by 3 ¼ lengths.
Under The Stars will be suited by the drop back to 7f but had high draw to overcome.
Boomer won a Group 3 at Goodwood and finished runner-up in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes last season. She was far to keen at Newmarket so the drop back in trip should be a positive, she looks to have a good draw in stall 3 and has to be respected down in class.
Stylistique failed to win any of her six starts last season but she improved with each start. Has 1 3/3 lengths to find on their running at Goodwood but improved further to be beaten a short head in a valuable Doncaster nursery before running a stablemate to ½ length in the Group 2 Shadwell Stakes at Newmarket. Got her head in front in a Newbury novice race on her return. Needs to have improved for that run but if she runs to her juvenile best has to be a major player.
Jovial, a half-sister to stablemate Jubiloso. The daughter of Dubawi won on firm ground at Yarmouth on her second start last season and ended last season with a win on the tapeta at Newcastle. She showed she has trained on from two to three when winning a Lingfield handicap 20-days ago. Needs to find plenty of improvement to win but that’s not out of the question and it’s interesting that connections step her up significantly in class, given she would have been still running on a winnable mark in handicap company.
Charlie Appleby saddles a couple of strong contenders in Althiqa & Spring Of Love. The former has won both her career starts. Another step forward required but she looks useful and worth a go in this company. Stall 12 could be better but a big run is expected. Spring Of Love looked a decent prospect when winning a 7f Newmarket maiden in October. The runner-up finished second in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot so the form looks solid. The daughter of Invincible Spirit is the least experienced of the field but is capable of more improvement at three and is better drawn than her stablemate in 5.
Verdict: Jovial is bred to be better than a handicapper and its interesting she pitched into Listed company now. Stylistique can improve on her seasonal return and is the pick.
1pt win – Stylistique – 5/1 @ Coral
Fairyhouse
4:00 – Oromo finally got his head in front on the flat when strong at the finish in a 1m 4f handicap here 10-days ago. The handicapper has only raised the him 3lb for that success and with today’s extra 1 ½ f likely to suit he’s taken to follow up.
1pt win – Oromo – 6/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John