Haydock boasts a classy Saturday afternoon card with the Lancashire Oaks and Old Newton Cup as its centrepieces.
It promises to be a cracking afternoon on Merseyside with racing at Haydock from 1.30pm-4.55pm. You can watch all the action from the UK and Ireland via live streaming when logged into MansionBet. Our tipster provides a race-by-race look at the Haydock card.
1.30 – Haydock
Not the easiest of openers and that’s evidenced with it being around 5/1 the field on raceday. The Mark Johnston-trained BRAVADO was having his first start after a gelding operation when he scored at Ayr (7f, good to firm) last month, pulling clear late on in good style. He was giving weight to his peers there and could find more from his new mark taking on older horses this time.
Selection: Bravado @ 8/1
2.05 – Haydock
DHUSHAN made a winning start in handicaps at Musselburgh (1m4½f, good) early last month and did so with a good bit up his sleeve seemingly. The Sea The Stars colt was a novice scorer here the time before that and a 7lb rise in the ratings may not be enough to ground his ambitions as he tackles this increased distance. Tashkhan ran well last time at Royal Ascot and is rated the principle danger.
Selection: Dhushan @ 3/1
2.40 – Haydock
Alpinista just got up to deny Makawee at Goodwood on seasonal comeback in April and Sir Mark Prescott’s charge is the standard-setter here. It’s not an insurmountable one, however, and Bharani Star, Dubai Fountain, Lady Hayes and Mystery Angel all carry threats. So, too, does LA LUNE after Henry Candy’s mare backed up a Nottingham Listed win with a C&D Group 3 success in May (Cabaletta second). She looks better than ever this season and ought to go well in this competitive Lancashire Oaks.
Selection: La Lune @ 7/1
3.15 – Haydock
A typically competitive Old Newton Cup renewal. Epsom scorer Midnights Legacy is 9lb higher and facing a tough challenge. Lots of lively chances – Dark Jedi, Grand Bazaar and Aaddeey to name three – but VALYRIAN STEEL has won back-to-back races on Kempton’s all-weather since finding the undulations of Epsom against him on seasonal bow in April. Roger Varian’s Frankel colt is firmly on the up and holds fine claims again.
Selection: Valyrian Steel @ 7/1
3.50 – Haydock
CASHEW won a Windsor novice (6f, soft) against her own sex in May for George Boughey and the Bated Breath filly found only one too good under a penalty next time at Salisbury on quicker ground. Conditions here will be fine and an opening mark of 77 looks to be entirely fair. Factor in Mark Crehan’s 3lb claim and it’s not hard to see her making this switch into nurseries a winning one.
Selection: Cashew @ 9/4
4.25 – Haydock
He went off as short as 14/1 in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup a fortnight ago on his seasonal comeback and FIVETHOUSANDTOONE shaped well enough on ground that was probably gone too soft for him. Last year’s Group 2 Mill Reef silver medallist has his sights lowered now and, with conditions underfoot more to his liking, ought to take some stopping on these terms.
Selection: Fivethousandtoone @ EVS
4.55 – Haydock
Sir Titus is on the up this year and should hold a favourite’s chance in the finale but COUNTRY CARNIVAL took a step back in the right direction when third over C&D a fortnight ago and David O’Meara’s filly is perhaps decent value in the betting to build on that now in what is a difficult finale.
Selection: Country Carnival @ 12/1
*All odds correct at time of writing