Haydock 13.45 – Kimifive
Kimifive was held up at Newmarket on his last start, when there was a pronounced bias towards front runners at that track that weekend. He could be spotted travelling really well at the tail of the field but the gap on the stand’s rail never came for him and he finished on the bridle with plenty of running left.
The winner from Newmarket, Jacks’ Point, was second in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the second, Cliffs Of Capri was fourth in that same race at Ascot. That form already looks quite solid and while that race was over seven furlongs and he drops to six furlongs here, I don’t envisage the trip being an issue, as he is a strong traveller over seven furlongs. Joseph Tuite has his runners among the winners in the last two weeks and Kimifive would look to have solid each way claims here.
Haydock 15.15 – Boomer
Ratings suggest this could be between Boomer and Under The Stars and while there are a few unexposed fillies in the line-up, I think Boomer can step forward from her disappointing effort in the 1,000 Guineas and can back on track here. Last season, Boomer needed her first start in a maiden before getting off the mark in impressive fashion at Newbury over seven furlongs.
She followed that up with a Group 3 win at Goodwood in the Prestige Stakes and then ran well when second in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster.
She finished the season finishing fifth in the Group 1 Fillies Mile but she went too hard in that race and made her move for home too early also and her effort could be upgraded.
She was poor in the 1,000 Guineas but she never settled in the rear of the field and could never land a blow. This is a drop in grade and Tom Dascombe’s string remain in great from. Boomer can enhance his already strong Haydock record.
Haydock 17.20 – Dreamweaver
Dreamweaver was a three-time winner last season, winning on his handicap debut off a mark of 64 and following up off marks of 69 and 75. He did find the Old Rowley Cup too hot on his final start of 2019 and shaped like he badly needed his comeback run at Kempton when weakening in the final two furlongs.
He should step forward plenty for that run and the handicapper has dropped him to a mark of 79, which is only four pounds above his last winning mark. The booking of champion jockey Oisin Murphy is a big positive, as he has a 26% when riding for Ed Walker.
Leicester 17.55 – Fox Hill
Fox Hill was a very easy winner over six furlongs at Thirsk last week and gets to run here under a mandatory five pound penalty. That leaves her five pounds well in, as the handicapper has bumped her up ten pounds and that Thirsk form has already been boosted with the third winning next time out. As long as the race doesn’t come too soon for Fox Hill, she should take plenty of beating here.
Leicester 20.25 – Nasraawy
Nasraawy cost $725,000 as a yearling and is a full brother to Kitten’s Joy who was a winner on the Breeders Cup card in 2016, so he is bred to be very useful. He was a well-backed even-money favourite on his debut at Newbury over a mile and was a bit green, being slow out of the stalls but in a steadily run race he was just touched off in a bunch finished.
He looked like he could improve plenty for the experience and while Ahdab looks the one to beat, it must be significant that Sheikh Hamden’s retained jockey, Jim Crowley, has picked Nasraawy.
The double of Fox Hill and Nasraawy at Leicester comes in at an attractive price.
Frank Hickey’s tips for Haydock and Leicester on Thursday
Haydock 13.45 – Kimifive
Haydock 15.15 – Boomer
Haydock 17.20 – Dreamweaver
Leicester 17.55 – Fox Hill
Leicester 20.25 – Nasraawy
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