3 minute read
Although there is Classic action from the Curragh on Saturday Haydock’s seven-race card certainly will not be going unnoticed with some top-quality Group racing on display.
The opening handicap sees seven go the post and Auld Toon Loon looks the one to be with now upped in trip following his promising handicap debut second at Wetherby (1m2f) recently. Market support for Cmon Kenny should be noted with William Buick booked while other dangers include Michael Appleby's In The Breeze.
Selection: Auld Toon Loon
Heads turn to the stayers at 1.50 and Law Of The Sea makes the most appeal. Ian Williams' charge caught the eye when fourth in the Chester Cup and he may take some stopping if settling better this afternoon. The progressive Carzola obviously commands respect under Frankie Dettori while the similarly improving Mountain Road could be thereabouts if replicating his form on turf.
Selection: Law Of The Sea
The Betfred Silver Bowl has attracted a competitive field of eleven at 2.25 with Covey heading the market for the John and Thady Gosden team. The son of Frankel impressed in a Newmarket maiden at the Craven meeting in April and may well have what it takes to defy a mark of 90 on his handicap debut. However, James McHenry is definitely heading the right way and could be worth chancing on this quicker surface following a snug course and distance success a fortnight ago. Emphatic Windsor maiden winner Royal Cape must be respected and Defence Of Fort, who was of so impressive at Ascot on debut, could bounce back now gelded.
Selection: James Mchenry
Haydock's first Group action arrives in the shape of the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at 3.00 where seven go to post for the three-year-old 6f contest. Commonwealth Cup claims will be on the line and Cold Case will be looking to confirm his form over Bradswell when the pair finished first and third in the Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes at Ascot earlier this month. Both look sure to give a bold sight once more, but Aidan O'Brien's Little Big Bear poses a different threat. The son of No Nay Never was tailed off in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on his first start at three but can bounce right back to his best reverting to sprinting. He looked electric when winning the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes by seven lengths at the Curragh as a two-year-old and dropping back to 6f here can see him return to his best.
Selection: Little Big Bear
The Group 2 Temple Stakes has been won by some top-class sprinters in the past and this year's renewal looks as strong as ever. Royal Aclaim, Dramatised, and The Platinum Queen were all excellent talents at two, but it remains to be seen if they've trained on. With that in mind, ready preference goes the way of Twilight Calls. The ground was miles too soft on his reappearance at Newmarket three weeks ago and Henry Candy's charge can leave that well behind with his second in last season's King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot arguably the best form on display.
Selection:Twilight Calls
Elsewhere on the card, William Dewhirst could be up to making a winning handicap debut in the 4.10 following his snug Thirsk maiden success sixteen days ago and previous course and distance Persuasion may prove the way to go for William Buick in the finale at 4.45.
RacingandSports SELECTIONS
RACE 1: AULD TOON LOON
RACE 2: LAW OF THE SEA
RACE 3: JAMES MCHENRY
RACE 4: LITTLE BIG BEAR
RACE 5: TWILIGHT CALLS
RACE 6: WILLIAM DEWHIRST
RACE 7: PERSUASIO