Royal Ascot Debrief: Tuesday

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The Queen Anne Stakes was something of a farce due to the anti-climactic of the Kentucky Derby hero Animal Kingdom not travelling a yard. Elusive Kate was the nearest rival from a ratings perspective and travelled well on her first start of the season before tiring dramatically in the final quarter mile. The race ended up in Declaration of War’s lap through a smart turn of foot, but I feel he may prove vulnerable in more competitive races. Aljamaaheer is a smart horse in his own right, but may not be up to this class over a mile, and may be seen to more affect over seven furlongs, and would be one to watch if aiming at the Prix Foray. It is interesting that from a sectional timing point of view, Trade Storm put in the quickest times during the last three furlongs, and the quickest furlong of the entire race 2f out. He would appreciate going at a much stronger gallop, and would be seen to better affect in a race where there is guaranteed pace. Either way, Elusive Kate would be the stand out to take out of the race.

The Kings Stand Stakes was an absolute master class from Johnny Murtagh, and the result on the face of it looks very fair. Shea Shea sets a good standard and as such the form looks solid, especially with Jack Dexter winning at the weekend. Reckless Abandon again travelled well but still showed signs of greenness, hanging like he did at the course last year. Of those in the field without a Group One victory, Pearl Secret would be one to perhaps give another chance on. He made plenty of late headway to finish fourth and for his first run of the season was more than acceptable. His long term target would most likely be The Nunthorpe at York’s Ebor meeting.

The St James’s Palace Stakes just proved how good Dawn Approach is. He couldn’t have had a worse passage, bumped, barged, had to switch, and hampered out wide, and yet still got the job done. Whoever he runs against at whatever track, as long as it is at a mile, he tans them all. And even better when you account the farce of Epsom. Expect to see him at Goodwood for The Sussex Stakes.

On the bare face of it War Command was a very decisive winner of The Coventry Stakes. The War Front colt showed an impressive turn of foot to sprout wings under Seamie Heffernan to win by six lengths, against what looked a stellar line up. Stubbs would be better than the bare result, having a wide passage throughout, and I could see him bouncing back in The National Stakes, but he looks to have too much pace at the moment to be considered for classic honours. Watching the replay, Sir John Hawkins was far from disgraced over a trip that is insufficient from a pedigree perspective. Out of an Irish Oaks winning mare, he’ll get a mile cosily, and will no doubt be going for races such as The Dewhurst and The Racing Post Trophy, on towards a long term target of The 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The Ascot Stakes and The Windsor Castle Stakes were both nothing of note, although Well Sharp did win well, mainly thanks to a shocker from Tom Queally on the favourite. Tiger Cliff remains unexposed and well handicapped and Mubaraza and Justification boosted the form at the weekend. I wouldn’t be rushing out to back any of the runners in the race in a hurry mind you. Extortionist won his race in fine style from another peach from Murtagh, but the way they finished in such a bunched fashion, hints at how little substance the form carries. Fountain of Youth hung all over the track and has plenty of improvement to come, being out of the terrific filly Attraction. Justice Day did well on the ‘wrong side’ and may have found the race coming a little too quick, being the colts fifth run in the space of two months.


The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

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Royal Ascot - Friday; Day Four

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Day four, lets hope the last two days are better than the first three.


Sandiva will be popular in The Albany Stakes after blitzing a good field in a Listed contest in Ireland, but I wouldn’t want to be backing anything with Frankie Dettori on at the minute, and the famously bred Joyeuse can bring a much heralded win for Lady Cecil and Warren Place. She won a maiden comfortably at Lingfield, and has much more to come, being a half-sister to the world’s greatest thoroughbred; Frankel.


Battle of Marengo is a deserved favourite in The King Edward VII, but favourites have a poor record and under a penalty he doesn’t appeal, especially at the prices. I’d fancy Hillstar at a price now that he is upped in trip, looking a mile and a half horse in the making on his two runs over ten furlongs. He failed to reel in High Troja last time out at Newbury, when giving him 7lb to boot. He is proven on the ground and clearly does a bit at home, entered here despite only being rated in double figures. Ryan Moore is riding out of his skin. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tha’ir run a big race in first time cheekpieces, with his two year old form being rather smart.


A horse that I think the world of is BIG BREAK, and she is my best bet of the day in The Coronation Stakes for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen. I backed her for the 1000 Guineas as soon as she won her maiden tag; she was that impressive on the day. She followed that up with a good win in Group Three company against the colts. She ran a cracker in the Irish 1000 Guineas, and although the ground may be a bit quick for her, she is good enough to get through it. She has to take on both winners Sky Lantern and Just The Judge, but I think she has the potential to better both here.


A trappy ten furlongs listed handicap and the most impressive bit of form in the race is Genzy finishing second to Noble Mission at Goodwood last time out. He lost to a 109 rated horse when tiring over the trip, and from an unrevised mark of 103, could be well in here. The third Moment in Time has come out and won a Group Three, and he should be competitive.


There is very little value in Leading Light at around 5/2 for The Queen’s Vase, despite ticking every box for Ballydoyle. A well-bred Montjeu colt who looks like he will be better upped in trip and the stable has a good record. Another stable with a strong record is Mark Johnston, he has three and stable jockey Joe Fanning selects Mister Impatience and he sets a good standard. He went into a lot of notepads when winning a Doncaster handicap by nine lengths, and despite flopping at Epsom, ran very well when chasing home the Derby winner Ruler of the World at Chester. The trip should suit and should bring out more improvement out of the Hernando colt.


Smarty Socks is dangerous under a penalty after hacking up at York, being tipped up on the blog and duly being smashed up in the market. However Enrol should be short in the betting but very hard to beat raised 3lb for a game second last time out at Newmarket. She got going late and only just failed to wear down Nocturn, getting there with every yard and losing by a nose. Over seven furlongs, the filly has longer to start revving the engine.


2.30 Royal Ascot – Joyeuse
3.05 Royal Ascot – Hillstar
3.45 Royal Ascot – Big Break (Nap)
4.25 Royal Ascot – Genzy
5.00 Royal Ascot – Mister Impatience
5.35 Royal Ascot – Enrol (Nb)


The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

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Royal Ascot 2013 - Thursday; Day Three

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Day three, and Ladies Day for some, Gold Cup Day for others and recoup day for most, two out of three ain’t bad as they say.


We start with The Norfolk Stakes, and I fancied two last year who both missed the frame, despite a bunched finish. Hopefully Green Door can boost my strike rate, who was most impressive when shedding the maiden tag at Newmarket in game style under Jim Crowley, and he keeps the ride. The form of the race has worked out exceptional, with four next time out winners, including the Qatar first string Wind Fire. Some smart types to go up against, but I think he could out run his price, as could Eccleston who won very snugly on debut at Doncaster, and the Fahey juveniles are flying.


I was in the office the day that Alive Alive Oh won the Irish Oaks Trial at Navan and she was breath-taking. I e-mailed a few people at the time and told them to go and watch the replay straight away. What was perhaps more impressive was the gamble on her that day, from around 7/2 in the morning, she went off the 11/10 favourite. She won by six lengths beating a 104 rated filly in any manner she liked, and it was said by the trainer afterwards that she is the best they have had. She will win The Ribblesdale on course to going to the Irish Oaks. Winsili looks the danger, as I expect The Lark to bomb out on the ground.


Estimate warrants maximum respect in The Gold Cup, and I backed her last year to win The Queen’s Vase, but I have been waiting for Rite of Passage to run since winning at Ascot last year, and quite frankly he is the best staying horse on the planet. He won The Gold Cup in 2010 in tremendous style, setting an unbelievable time, the only problem being that he nearly broke himself in the process. He showed he retains his ability when winning The Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October, and he is just pure class. I wouldn’t want the ground too quick, but I find it very difficult to see how he loses, especially over the two and a half mile trip.


To say The Britannia Stakes is tricky is like saying Sprinter Sacre is an alright lepper; there’s more plots here than Alan Titchmart’s allotment. Wentworth and Cape Peron are the two sexy horses with flashy profiles and obviouschances, but they are too short in such a race like this for me. Haafaguinea and Market Town finished first and second in a Sandown handicap, and both have similar unexposed profiles, but the former looked very smart that day. The Clive Cox yard is flying, but Fehaydi and Red Avenger have let the form down since, and they re-oppose here again. Another horse on an upward curve is Llaregyb who has won two handicaps on good ground over a mile, both in good fashion. Young Harry Bentley is on board, and although up another 7lb, should appreciate the fast pace and even faster going.


The Hampton Court Stakes looks fairly open this year, and despite Chopin showing smart form over in Germany, he doesn’t appeal, especially under a penalty. A lot of guess work but Shikarpour could be a smart type in the making for The Aga Khan and Alain De Royer Dupre. He built on his debut run to finish a good fifth in The French Derby, behind a very smart colt in the form of Intello. Another with form in France is Indian Chief for Ballydoyle, He still looked green last time out, and was a messy race, but he clearly has class and tonnes of ability. It is a worry that he is hooded first time, but he could prove to be very good indeed.


Mark Johnston has a good record in the last race, and I someone found his winner Fennell Bay last year, who won under a cool ride from Joe Fanning. He has three this year and all have chances, but none as strong as the look of Bold Sniper for Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore. He romped home over a mile and a quarter last time out, beating some good and unexposed rivals. The progeny of New Approach have thrived at Royal Ascot this year and last, and he looks to have plenty more to come stepped up in trip for Her Majesty The Queen.


2.30 Royal Ascot – Green Door
3.05 Royal Ascot – Alive Alive Oh (Nb)
3.45 Royal Ascot – Rite of Passage (Nap)
4.25 Royal Ascot – Haafaguinea & Llaregyb
5.00 Royal Ascot – Indian Chief & Shikarpour
5.35 Royal Ascot – Bold Sniper


The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

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Royal Ascot 2013 - Wednesday; Day Two

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The race and indeed the market for The Jersey Stakes features around two horses who displayed their best efforts in defeat, and that is Gale Force Ten and Montridge. Both are closely related on a form line with Irish Derby hope Trading Leather, who defeated Montridge at Newmarket last year, but then trailed Gale Force Ten in The Irish 2000 Guineas. Mutin and The Brothers War both have bold claims from France, and to a lesser extent Pearl Flute and Complimentor. Two horses I fancy both coincidently enough have similar claims based on beating Richard Hannon’s Emell, and they are Garswood and Well Acquainted. Garswood is the preferred, trainer Richard Fahey thinks the world of him, and he was far from disgrace in The Guineas, finishing seventh. His most impressive form to date came when winning the Free Handicap at Newmarket over 7f, and a renewal of that would see him go close. Pat Smullen is a very strong positive. Well Acquainted is progressing nicely, but finished four lengths behind Garswood that day, when in receipt of 3lb. There is a chance Adam Kirby may be able to nick it from the front.


The Windsor Forest is relatively open, with the top three in the market all looking to have strong claims, and all with similar form. Chigun, Dank and Duntle have all won black type races over course and distance and all come from very powerful stables, and indeed breeders. Chigun was impressive when hacking up last time out in Ireland, but before that finished behind Dank over nine furlongs at Newmarket. The most straightforward filly in the race looks to be DUNTLE though, and she has the best form in the race, unlucky to lose The Matron Stakes in the stewards room at Leopardstown. I’ve tried to see how she can lose, and unless Ryan Moore can dictate matters on Dank, she should be hard to lose with.


The St James’ Palace Stakes is billed as a rematch between Camelot and Al Kazeem, but the bigger story is the each way thievery on offer with The Fugue for John Gosden and William Buick. Her best trip is undoubtedly over a mile and a quarter, seen when winning The Nassau Stakes last year, and with the fillies’ allowance of 3lb, she should get in the frame at the very least. Camelot is overhyped, so Al Kazeem beating him doesn’t mean much. The rest of the field aren’t of this standard, and she looks a cracking punt.


The Royal Hunt Cup looks as tricky as usual, and although I managed to stick the pin in the favourite with Fast or Free last year, but those at the head of affairs this year don’t seem to have the same appeal however. The ones with sexy profiles will generally go off shorter than they should, Educate, Stirring Ballad and Trade Commissioner. Instead I like two hardened veterans of these type of races; Navajo Chief and Prince of Johanne. They finished first and second of a competitive handicap at York last month and have good records in competitive Ascot handicaps over the trip. There will be plenty of firms offering five places, so shop around!


There is no stand out in The Queen Mary, but I was astounded when Bye Bye Birdie got beat two starts ago over six furlongs at The Curragh. She tired late on to get an absolute gubbing and the raw speed she shows her to suit the trip down, as seen when winning her maiden on Sunday. Her form looks good and the fact she is Ballydoyle’s entry would be another positive. Another I was taken with early was Kaiulani for Mick Channon, who was punted like a good thing and duly obliged at Leicester. She will have more to come, and the trainer does well with juveniles at the meeting. Of those at the head of the market, Rizeena and Reroute, both owned by same connections look very interesting.


The Sandringham Handicap to finish things is another potential minefield, and it could be worth taking a chance on one of our favourite stables in Bracing Breeze for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen. A beautifully bred filly by Juddmonte was second behind Cape of Approval last time out who then lowered the colours of Group One winning Maarek next time out. She had a 111 rated colt in behind that day, and is unexposed with only three runs to her name. Another Irish filly with strong claims is Hint of a Tint, who was second in The Guineas trial to Just Pretending in the 1000 Guineas trial. Bred on the Danehill/Galileo line, she is another unexposed filly with potential to improve.


2.30 Royal Ascot – Garswood
3.05 Royal Ascot – Duntle (Nb)
3.45 Royal Ascot – The Fugue (Nap)
4.25 Royal Ascot – Navajo Chief & Prince of Johanne
5.00 Royal Ascot – Kaiulani & Bye Bye Birdie
5.35 Royal Ascot – Bracing Breeze & Hint of a Tint


The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

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Royal Ascot - Tuesday

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Royal Ascot kicks off in style once more with The Queen Anne Stakes, and whilst there is no stellar field like recent years, the tradition of the race being spear-headed by a world class superstar persists. Recent winners are an illustrious ‘who’s who’ of middle distance echelon; including Goldikova, Paco Bay, Canford Cliffs and the champion of the world, Frankel. The only horse that can boast the level of form to match such winners is ANIMAL KINGDOM who boasts the ability to be versatile on ground and trip, being a Kentucky Derby winner and a Dubai World Cup winner. As well as chasing home the fantastic American miler Wise Dan at the Breeders Cup, with Excelebration and Moonlight Cloud in behind. The fact of the matter is that he doesn’t have a lot to beat. Elusive Kate is the only other Group One winner, and the filly has never won when taking on the colts. The rest are much of a muchness, with Declaration of War, whilst Trade Storm and Aljamaaheer are up in class. It looks a fairly straightforward task for the American raider.


The second race looks a bit of a minefield, with nineteen lining up for The Kings Stand, but if South African sprinter SHEA SHEA turns up, much like Animal Kingdom, in the same heart he was in when romping home in Dubai, he is hard to beat. He is 3lb clear on official ratings of Reckless Abandon, who looks the main danger, but these races tend to be messy affairs, and won’t be one to seriously get stuck into. Sole Power, Spirit Quarts and Swiss Spirit are those who are the most likeliest to spring a surprise.


The action packed first day keeps on delivering, with DAWN APPROACH looking to bounce back after his flop in The Derby in The St James’ Palace Stakes. He was never travelling and being at pains with the slow early crawl of a pace, jockey Kevin Manning struggling to get him settled. Jim Bolger has his pacemaker Leitir Mor deployed once more which should suit the colt, and although Irish Guineas winner Magician will be a capable foe, I have to stick with the animal that I have been so sweet on since seeing his maiden win oh so many moons ago.


I can’t keep on tipping up favourites, so will sidestep Stubbs and Championship in The Coventry Stakes for Ballydoyle’s supposed second string and Sir John Hawkins, with Ryan Moore jocked up. He is bred to be decent, out of Irish Oaks heroine Peeping Fawn, by multiple Group 1 winner Henrythenavigator, and made a pleasing start to racing when winning on debut at The Curragh. He was green but got better as the race progressed and has the potential to be very smart. I can see him being a Guineas horse for next year already for leading connections.


The Ascot Stakes is a two and a half mile handicap, and a race that has generally been dominated by National Hunt trainers with dual purpose horses. This was seen last year when Willie Mullins and Simeon romping home in the hands of Ryan Moore to win and win well. Those at the head of the market all have doubts, but the two that strike of the most interest are Investissement for David Pipe and Lieutenant Miller of Nicky Henderson. Investissement is a seemingly precocious animal, three starts since his third in an Ebor in 2011 from a mark of 99. The stable won the race a few years ago with Junior, and he will be fitter from his run at Chester last month. Lieutenant Miller made a mockery of his mark of 79 at Doncaster over two miles, and won as he liked. Up 8lb, but rated 115 over hurdles, and classier form in the book. Nicky Henderson won the race with Veiled in 2011, so know what it takes to win. Graham Lee is a very strong booking to do the steering.


The Windsor Castle Stakes has a fond history of being a good get out of jail race for punters, with well supported favourites Frederick Engels and Duntle winning the last two seasons in good style too. Richard Hannon is mob handed at this, with four runners, whilst Aidan O’ Brien, David Evans and George Baker, all have a brace with a couple chucked in for Qatar Bloodstock. I Would be hesitant selections, but I liked the look of Fountain of Youth for Ballydoyle and Ryan Moore on board, and also Justice Day for David Elsworth. Fountain of Youth is a typical stoutly bred sort, who ran well on debut, in what looks to have been a very strong maiden. He looked better when dropping down to 5f to shed the maiden tag, and will have more to offer. Justice Day sprung a surprise when winning a Newbury maiden readily, and the form has worked out really well. He’s yet to be out of the frame in three conditions events, and is sure to run to a strong standard again.


2.30 Royal Ascot – Animal Kingdom
3.05 Royal Ascot – Shea Shea
3.45 Royal Ascot – Dawn Approach
4.25 Royal Ascot – Sir John Hawkins (Nap)
5.00 Royal Ascot – Lieutenant Miller & Investissement
5.35 Royal Ascot – Fountain of Youth & Justice Day


The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

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Racing at York; Saturday 15th June

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A strong ‘Saturday card’, with some trademark puzzling handicaps, which look more difficult to complete than a rubix cube with one arm tied behind your back. Although, I may be over-exaggerating just a smidge.

I tipped up Crackentorp to win the opening apprentice handicap this time last year, but with the ground expected to be like a road, I can’t have him off the same mark he won last year. Sirvino made full use of his plundering weight when winning over course and distance last month, but 5lb higher, he has to be opposed. The two that stand out are War Singer for David Pipe and Nanton for Jim Goldie; both are rather infamous for a plot or two. Nanton is now at a career low mark, and his run last time out still hinted at ability. He ran on over a mile and three quarters, and with more positive tactics, he could be the dark horse of the field. Similarly War Singer, who goes well fresh when last seen winning the charity race at Aintree, and has leading amateur Jane Mangan on board, who won the Champion Bumper in Ireland for the stable on The Liquidator. He finished in behind Proud Chieftain and Prussian over a similar ground and trip and will be carefully watched in the betting.


The nine furlong handicap that follows it is just as difficult, and I would immediately flag up Ginger Jack and Swiftly Done as two to follow with softer conditions, but with the predicted good to firm conditions, it is difficult to oppose the Ted Easterby mare Maven, who has course and distance winning form. She has a terrific record at the track, and has been in good nick this year, with two seconds to her name. On her beloved Knavesmire, she will be the one to beat at the foot of the weights.


An interesting eight runner listed race, and providing all eight runners turn up, it could be worth an each way play on Quick Wit for the in form Godolphin stable. He won a strong Doncaster handicap before tailing off in line with the heavy ground in the autumn, and looks very unexposed compared to his rivals. Sir Patrick Moore was flattered last time out, but gets weight from the field, as does Baltic Knight for the Hannon/Hughes team. Stipulate is the danger, back down to a mile for Warren House.


The six furlong sprint handicap looks the feature, and has plenty of three year olds who showed lots of promise last season, before somewhat tailing off. The likes of Heavy Metal, Chilworth Icon, Odooj, Ahern and Cosmic Chatter all have interlocking form lines, but the two that interest me here are Moviesta and No Jet Lag. Moviesta has been a revelation since handicapping, beating subsequent winners over six on good to firm, and over five on soft. Although now up 10lb, he is going the right way, and looks versatile. The other interesting one is No Jet Lag for the David Lanigan team, and is a horse that offered a lot of promise last year. He chased home the well regarded Ashdan in a competitive Conditions race at Doncaster, before being sent off favourite in a Listed contested won by subsequent UAE Derby winner Lines of Battle. Now gelded, a run under his belt, and 6lb lower than his mark last year, he ticks every box, and with the stable flying, looks to have strong claims.


The handicaps don’t get any easier, although Kalk Bay chased home subsequent group winner Danadana over course and distance at The Ebor meeting last year, and has shaped like going in the right way. Smart types likes Hajras and Sir John Hawkwood were in behind that day and with the stable slowly coming round, any market support would be significant. Merchant of Medici is another who is slowly becoming well handicapped, and the booking of William Buick by Micky Hammond looks fairly significant. I’m Super Too was behind recent Beverley winner Copperwood and is another that is trickling down the weights and starting to look attractive.


The final two races are fairly open and I shall be leaving alone, but I would be tempted to take on the Richard Hannon runner, purely as is my way. Any other market support would be significant, but on paper, Wickhambrook and In Focus make plenty of appeal based on their initial run first time out.


Same sentiments with the finishing six furlong handicap, but Medici Time and Cocktail Charlie are both coming round to good marks with strong course form for The Easterby boys, and any market support would again, be significant.


2.05 York – War Singer & Nanton
2.40 York – Maven (Nap)
3.15 York – Quick Wit
3.50 York – Moviesta & No Jet Lag
4.20 York – Kalk Bay, I’m Super Too & Merchant of Medici


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

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Racing at York, Friday 14th June

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A little Lucky 15 to ease into the weekend with at York, and let’s pad the satchels and earn some heavy ammo to fire at Royal Ascot with. Whether it turns out like so, we shall have to see, but that is the plan to begin with, everyone needs a starting point!


Stepping Ahead looks well handicapped given how well he won at Pontefract on handicap debut, bolting up by seven lengths off a mark off 77. Up 14lb, he may have been flattered by the odds on favourite flopping however, and the second and third have failed to win off marks of 80 and 83, so doesn’t look to have much room for manoeuvre. Compare that to Sublimation for David Barron, who has been progressive in maidens, finally shedding the maiden tag at the eight attempts, after previously finishing second four times. He runs under a penalty and will appreciate the step up in trip. His previous form looks pretty strong, and the stable are flying.


Itlaaq is the only course winner in the mile and three quarters handicaps, and looks to have been laid out for a race like this, for the shrewd Mick Easterby team. He ran over an insufficient 10 furlongs last time out, behind much classier rivals and the seven year old’s best form has come over extended mile and a half trips. Fifth in a two mile handicap here behind Olympiad, and third behind Sir Graham Wade, both on firm ground are the stand out pieces of form, and with the eight runners and rivals with sexier profiles, he should hopefully be a knocking each way bet here.


A bit of an outsider but a horse that saves his best performances for York handicap’s is Smarty Socks, and with the stable flying it could be worth taking a chance on David O’ Meara’s nine year old. Now down to a mark of 89, his lowest mark for two years, where he won a twenty runner 7f handicap on good to firm ground, an omen perhaps? He needed the run first time out, and could never get involved down the field at Ascot, but given his form before Group 1 second Gordon Lord Byron here over course and distance, you have to think there is more than what he has shown so far this season.


He will probably be a skinny price but Mama Quilla should be something of a good thing in the apprentice handicap that rounds the card off. Four runs in maidens got her a mark of 68, and she has followed up with two quick wins over a mile and a half. Up 8lb for the two wins, but looks to have plenty more in hand, and with leading apprentice Robert Tart jocked up, it could be another one for William Haggas, who has a 29% strike rate at York in the last twelve months.


2.30 York – Sublimation
3.05 York – Itlaaq
4.45 York – Smarty Socks
5.15 York – Mama Quilla


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

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Wednesday Racing at Haydock Park

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A strong card at Haydock on Wednesday, with some useful pointers for some of the staying handicaps later in the season at York, Goodwood and Doncaster, well that’s the plan anyway!

 

There is something to be said about a mare in good form, and Apache Glory is just that. After completing her hatrick emphatically at Beverley, she put in two further good runs at Doncaster and Beverley in defeat. She clearly thrives at the trip (her last five runs all over the 10f) and on ratting quick ground. Although up 16lb since the start of her streak, her attitude means she looks a cracking each way bet to nothing at the very least.

 

Argent Knight will be popular in the 3.20, but a horse that should be better through a reasonable form line is Grendisar for Marco Botti and Andrea Atzeni. The colt has progressed nicely since going into handicaps, with form figures of 2121, his latest win at Kempton seeing him stay on strongly over a mile and a half. The run before, he finished ahead of Lion Beacon, who put Argent Knight well and truly in his place at Sandown, despite conceding 6lb. Although Graham Lee was caught napping, I see no reason why Grendisar can’t cement his superiority here.

Frequent readers will know how much I am a fan of Keith Reveley’s operation, and his usual handicap plots have surfaced this time on the flat, with Swinging Sultan thriving since ditching maiden company. In his bumper days he was second to Champion Bumper second New Years Eve, and he has transferred that form over to a mile and a half handicaps. An obvious selection, but despite another 7lb should be still ahead of his mark, and with some popular jockeys and stables having runners in the race, will be able to get a much better price.

 

The form of Battalion’s maiden at Chester is an emphatic franking of the form, with three wins and five places from the next thirteen subsequent runners. He stayed on for pressure, before tiring in the closing stages, and the Authorized colt is bred to love the mile and a half trip, out of a Halling mare. Bomber Thorn will likely be fancied for the Dascombe yard, and is related to their St Leger second Brown Panther, but the William Haggas colt just edges it for me.

 

2.20 Haydock – Apache Glory

3.20 Haydock – Grendisar (Nap)

4.20 Haydock – Swinging Sultan

4.50 Haydock - Battallion

 


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