Horse Racing Preview – Ascot & Haydock – 13th May 2017
Today’s horse racing preview comes from Haydock and Ascot respectively. Beaten by a short head in the big race at Chester yesterday, rounded off with a poor showing of the night selection.
16.20 Haydock – Pertemps Network Conditions Stakes (6f)
Very competitive contest that see’s John Gosden’s Waady at the head of the market. Last season’s Scurry Stakes and Coral Charge winner was not disgraced around pattern company with a good effort when a close third finish in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes.
Fifth place finish in the Group 1 Kings Stand, he has shown consistency of form despite getting into the winning enclosure. He looks a horse for courses with four of his five career wins all coming at Sandown, has been pencilled in to run in the Kings Stand again and has won in the past when going fresh.
Bryan Smarts Mythmaker ran some good races in defeat last year and was a winner over course and distance two seasons ago in a 0-85 handicap. This is his first return to turf since finishing mid division in the Coral Sprint Trophy.
Haydock can catch you out, especially trying to come off a quick pace, best place to be is on the front end which Mythmaker is very capable of setting his own fractions.
The one I have opted for though is Ed Walkers Aeolus who is on a two year long losing streak, his last win came at Gosforth Park when landing the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes.
Course and distance winner three years ago when he landed Listed Sandy Lanes Stakes. Was seen running on this card last season when a good fifth in the Listed Spring Trophy over 7f a trip that saw him out.
Looked out classed on seasons reappearance in the Group 3 Abernant Stakes at Newmarket, this drop in class should give him a good chance of going close.
Aeolus : 1pt each way @ 11/2 (BOG)
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16.35 Ascot -Totepoolliveinfo.com Novices Stakes (5f)
Charlie Appleby’s colt Aqabah will have to live up to his juvenile price tag of $550,000, the son of Exchange Rate is just another one of those big purchases made by Godolphin this year, he has no current big engagements pencilled in for the season, so it could be worth seeing what they have with William Buick booked.
Cardsharp made a pleasing debut when easily winning at Brighton. Al Maktoum owned son of Lonhro will have to step up to take on some good opposition here as I was not really taken by why he beat on debut.
At a valuable price Haddaf representing James Tate put in a good debut shift when runner up to Never Back Down at Leicester. Back in third was Dragons Tail who franked the form this week at Chester emphatically.
Tom Dascombe’s Dragon Pulse colt looks the pick on form and with an advantage of a previous run two weeks ago and should be feared, but Godolphin’s juveniles are in good form this early into the season, so I am expecting a big run.
Aqabah : 2pt win @ 6/4 (BOG)
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17.25 Haydock – Pertemps Network Handicap (0-95)
Without a doubt I cannot bank against Richard Hannon’s Devil Bridge in this. I put him forward last season as one of my top five to watch when making the transition phase. His has become very consistent for me despite not winning more then he should as a juvenile
His current run this year when runner up at Ripon was needed, a performer that gets a still 9f at most venues and at 12/1 it’s a shame it has turned into a race with only seven runners, but I have to stick with him even though there are some big looking improver’s in the race.
Leaders Legacy got off the mark at the second attempt at Epsom, he was a blog winner for me and even though he did it comfortably by four lengths I am not convinced the drop in trip is going to do him any favours.
Marco Botti’s Manderin was another that got off the mark at the second attempt at Newcastle, the runner up has ran well again finishing a good second at Windsor. Richard Hannon also trains the likely favourite in this in The Grape Escape who ran a close third on his return when third in the Esher Cup.
His slight drop in trip might help his cause, but for me he looked a 9f performer, so honestly, I am hoping Devils Bridge is not being used to benefit his other entry and experience prevails
Devils Bridge : 1pt each way @ 12/1 (BOG)
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