1.50 Haydock – Live In The Dream (Win)
It wasn’t a bad return when Live In The Dream finished a close second in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock last month. Last year, he won the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York, which is the best form in the race. Despite being the highest horse in the field, he doesn’t have to carry any penalties, so that will help him in this lower grade. I think he will get punters off to a good start on Saturday afternoon.
2.25 Haydock – Divina Grace (Win)
I really like one in this, and that is Divina Grace for Rae Guest. She made a really pleasing start to her season at Goodwood last month when she finished third. That was a hot fillies handicap, and I think it’s a race to keep an eye on.
When we saw her last season, she was very progressive for connections, winning three times on quick ground. Last October, she beat a horse called Crystal Delight, who now rated 20lb higher, so she could be thrown in off 90. I don’t think this is a strong race, and I suspect the daughter of Golden Horn will go very close.
3.00 Haydock – Queen Of The Pride (Each Way)
This is a very open race, and there are a few fillies in here that could go on to further improvement. The one I am going to side with is Queen Of The Pride for John and Thady Gosden.
She is very lightly raced, but her second at Goodwood in the Listed Daisy Warwick was a very good run last month. Her dam is Simple Verse, who won the St. Leger, and she thrived over further and on better ground. With the ground drying out at Haydock this weekend, I can see her being competitive and being in the mix.
3.35 Haydock – Jumby (Each Way)
I’m going to take a chance on Jumby here. He won this race pretty easily last year, and it looks like a good move trying to defend his crown. The six-year-old gelding can be in and out sometimes, but when he’s on a going day, he’s a very good horse. I think the key to him is quick ground and a strong pace, and I think he’s going to get that here. This could be the day he gets his head back in front.
2.05 Beverley – Over Spiced (Each Way)
This is an absolute minefield of promising two-year-old fillies, and we haven’t got much form to go on. However, my tentative selection is Over Spiced for Tom Clover. I was impressed by the way she travelled into the race at Leicester, and she showed a good attitude off the bridle when coming under pressure. With a good draw in Stall 4, I can see her going well.
2.40 Beverley – Moving Force (Win)
Moving Force showed a great turn of foot when scoring here on his racecourse debut last month. I think there’s plenty more to come from him, and his trainer, Richard Fahey, has been in red-hot form this week. His main danger could be the unraced Shareholder for Karl Burke, who’s been going well with his two-year-old. I just think experience may be the key here, and if he was to win it well, Royal Ascot could be on the agenda.
3.15 Beverley – Zapphire (Each Way)
I don’t have a particularly strong fancy in this race, but I do think Zapphire could be interesting. She was denied a clear run at Newcastle when making her seasonal reappearance, and she wasn’t beaten that far. Last season, she showed promise for her connections, which included a win at Haydock. The daughter of Zoffany doesn’t appear to be off a bad mark of 77, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she has a bit more to come.
