Saturday
It’s a busy day up and down the country tomorrow and the quantity certainly makes up for the lack of quality. It will be an informative day at Beverley where the two year olds do battle with the fillies first up in the Hilary Needler. This looks a wide open event but I thought it was interesting that Michael Appleby sent NAD ALSHIBA SNOW to Beverley first time out where she showed plenty to finish second in what looked a decent race. The shrewd Appleby would have almost certainly had his eye on this race before this filly made her debut and that opening run should put her spot on for this. She could be overlooked.
IRON LION’ s last run at Newmarket is probably best overlooked as he was held up off a slow pace and when making progress he was cut off in his tracks and consequently eased down. He might be better judged on his run prior to that at Doncaster where he shaped like a progressive horse. Up 8lb since that run he will have to improve but he looks well weighted and Jamie Spencer is a booking that catches the eye.
Having tipped Nad Alshiba Snow in the Hilary Needler, I almost have to put up MOVING FORCE in the Two Year Old Trophy. Richard Fahey’s first time out winner is well bred and picked up well when Oisin Orr went for the stick on debut. He probably won that race a shade cosy but the experience he gained makes him the one to beat here despite Shareholder currently leading the ante post market. Karl Burke and Wathnan racing have been on fire so far this year but Beverley is a hard place to make his debut and he will have to be smart to overhaul Fahey’s charge.
Having seen two of my Royal Ascot tips win at Epsom last week it would only be right for WITCH HUNTER to take the John Of Gaunt Stakes too. Tipped for the Queen Anne in this month’s Racing Ahead mag, Richard Hannon has decided to take this race in on his way to Ascot which may or may not be a wise decision. A big positive about his chance tomorrow is the abundance of pace in the race. They might just go a shade too fast for each other and consequently set the race up for a finisher like the selection. However, Haydock is so often a front running track so I would advise a shade of caution before going all in. Monitor the first few races before backing him is my advice.
David Evans has a good record at Haydock, but not quite as good as Richard Kingscote which makes it interesting that the pair team up tomorrow with RADIO GOO GOO. A progressive horse this time last year, she returned to form last time out when making all at Ripon. Still on a nice mark I presume she will make another bold bid from the front here and I quite like her chances of doubling up.
Beverley 2.05 – Nad Alshiba Snow
Haydock 2.25 – Iron Lion
Beverley 2.40 – Moving Force
Haydock 3.35 – Witch Hunter
Haydock 4.45 – Radio Goo Goo
