Racing at Ascot, Haydock and Lingfield

Another weekend of promising action, with Lingfield having its strongest card of the year, with the respected Derby and Oaks trials, and due to the wet weather, will be run on the artificial surface, There are also strong cards at Haydock and Ascot, with the Betfred Victoria Cup being the highlight with a £100k pot on offer to the 20 strong field.

The Victoria Cup looks to be another strong renewal, and 101 rated Pastoral Player heads the weights, after previous decent efforts in group company last season. Top class handicappers over the 6-8 furlong mark such as Eton Forever, Tariq Too, High Standing and Smarty Socks look to have some of the leading claims. Northern trainers Kevin Ryan, Dandy Nicholls and Brian Ellison look to have some strong claims, but the most north of trainers Jim Goldie looks to have the answers with last season’s winner HAWKEYETHENOO. The six year old has a good record fresh, finishing fourth in a very good handicap at Newmarket, as well as winning the year before at Thirsk. He looks nicely treated by the handicapper, remaining at 104, technically 6lb in hand to Pastoral Player, when beaten four lengths here over course and distance. Providing he handles the soft conditions, he has solid claims.

RED JAZZ is a very decent yard stick, and drops down from group company to listed level for the Spring Trophy Stakes at Haydock over seven furlongs. He has shown a consistent level of form over the past couple of seasons, most notably when a narrow third in the QE2 at Ascot in 2010. His third in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile at Meydan in March should have improved his fitness for the new campaign, and the cut in the ground shouldn’t be too much of a worry.

Another dropping down in grade is CHACHAMAIDEE, who like stable mate Vita Nova, drops down from group company to listed level to open her season. The Footstepsinthesand mare ran close Strong Suit, Saphresa and Lolly For Dolly all close when second to them in Group 1 and 2 races last year, and rated 113, being officially the best horse in the race.

The two Derby and Oaks trials look fiercely contested affairs, but hopefully we have found the answers with both, the first being VOW, who holds claims for very respective connections for William Haggas and Highclere Thoroughbred. The filly looked green as grass when hacking up in her maiden win, won the year before by Dancing Rain, the horse who gave the trainer his Oaks win last year. She should come on tremendously for that run, and I expect her to win en route to Oaks glory, get on early at around the 20/1 mark! The Derby trial should go towards John Gosden in the colours of Oaks winner in 2009 Sariska, for Lady Bamford. SHANTARAM has ran two crackers in maiden company, most notably last time out at Newmarket, where the form has worked out with the next four runners producing form of 1-3-1-3. Providing he can take the step up in class in his stride, the well bred colt should run well.

2.10 Lingfield – Chaichamaidee
2.40 Lingfield – Vow (Nap)
3.10 Lingfield – Shantaram
3.25 Ascot – Hawkeyethenoo (Ew)
4.15 Haydock – Red Jazz

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner, Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports