Haydock, Kempton and Ascot are the three meetings on ITV racing on Saturday and I’ve hit on 5 to keep the dream alive for the TV races.
13.45 Haydock – Khaloosy
My Oberon was nearly wiped out by Tilsit at Goodwood in a Group 3 contest last time and prior to that had been a very comfortable winner of a novice event at York. There is more to come from him.
Stormy Antarctic is a grand campaigner at seven years old. He ran a good race in France where Persian King beat him. The Royal Hunt Cup winner, Dark Vision, has been a flag-bearer this season for connections and arguably one of the easiest winners at the Royal Ascot meeting was Khaloosy.
He was an impressive winner of the Britannia Handicap and the form of that race has been boosted since. The ground was just too quick for him at Goodwood last time and am more than willing to give him another chance back on this slower surface. He gets the nod over My Oberon.
Haydock 14:15 – Favourite Moon
Favourite Moon was an easy winner over course and distance from subsequent victor and St Leger hopeful Subjectivist, two starts back. He flopped at York in the Melrose Handicap but horses do have off days!
Arthurian Fable ran a belter in that York contest and is normally a solid performer. He is the reliable runner. Midraar won nicely at Chester but was entitled to on the back of her run at Newbury.
She has a nice light weight and with Hollie Doyle riding at the top of her game is a worthy challenger.
However, I feel Favourite Moon can bounce back to form.
Haydock 14:50 – Calling the Wind
The Old Borough Cup Handicap is a competitive 1m 6f handicap where Paddy is paying to 5 places.
Rhythmic Intent was a good winner at Newbury last time and has not been harshly punished by the handicapper. Glencadam Glory has a fine second-placed finish to his name at York in the Ebor where Euchen Glen was just behind in third. Saglawy is a fascinating runner for UK champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls and used to be trained by Willie Mullins in Ireland.
He could be competitive off his mark, but it is a leap of faith at this stage. Richard Hughes’ Calling the Wind has been laid out for this. He won nicely at Ascot last time but the handicapper hasn’t missed him, even if a 7lb rise looks fair.
He looks a solid each-way play in this trappy contest.
Haydock Sprint Cup 15:25 – Hello Youmzain
Dream Of Dreams was eighth to Hello Youmzain in this contest last year when slowly away. He dotted up over 7f last time, but this will be much tougher back over 6f.
Golden Horde did this column a turn at Ascot but was only fifth at Deauville last time. Art Power was strongly fancied by lots of people at York against Battash, but his run was just too bad to be true. He should be much closer this time.
I love last year’s winner Hello Youmzain, he has run some crackers this year already including the Group One win for jockey Kevin Stott.
He loves the track, handles the ground so what’s not to like!
Ascot 15.05 – My Frankel
There’s a select field for this 1m 4f handicap. Shandoz scrambled home last time at the track and because the margin of victory was so small, only went up 4lb. My Frankel is ridden by Cieren Fallon for Sir Michael Stoute and this son of Frankel was impressive when winning at Kempton.
His run as a two-year-old was eye-catching behind Group 1 performer Palace Pier. He is a typical Sir Michael Stoute improver, I think this is another step in the right direction for him.
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