Saturday Haydock Racing Tips by Dave Stevos
Tips and Preview of All ITV Live Races At Haydock
After a couple of fruitful weekends at York and Newbury we drew a blank at Sandown last Saturday. Spoof and My Boy Sepoy were both bitterly disappointing, particularly the latter. Solar Gold ran a blinder in 4th but going for the win ultimately cost her a place. I thought Hector Loza showed plenty, he just paid the price for being too close to a mad early pace. Under more patient tactics he is capable of landing a pattern race at some point. Dave Stevos is hoping to get back into the black this weekend, check out his Saturday Haydock racing tips below…
Saturday Haydock Racing Tips: 1.55 Garswood Handicap (Class 2)
A dozen 3yos will line up at the start for the opening 14f handicap at Haydock on Sprint Cup day. First In Line is the 5/2 jolly for Frankie and Gosden, a progressive son of New Approach. He ran a huge race on handicap debut behind Hamish at York last time (14f gd/fm). He just bumped into a better handicapped horse on the day, but a 4lb hike to 100 does look harsh given he was almost a length behind the winner. First In Line has already proved he handles an ease though and he shouldn’t be too far away.
One that looks interesting at a bigger price is Ranch Hand for Balding and Murphy. This son of Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden is a best price of 16/1 and that looks big. He was unimpressive last time on quick ground, but his run at Lingfield was not devoid of promise. It was soft that day and he wasn’t disgraced behind Anthony Van Dyck over 12f. His dam won over 14f so this trip should suit and a mark of 94 looks more than fair. At odds of 16/1, Ranch Hand is the each way pick.
SATURDAY HAYDOCK RACING TIPS: RANCH HAND E/W @ 16/1 NB
Haydock Preview Saturday: 2.25 – Superior Mile Stakes (Group 3)
Only 8 horses have declared for this 8f Group 3 contest. Sharja Bridge is the top rated off 113 and he carries 9st 3lbs. He has regressed after a highly promising start to the season when he won a Listed race and chased home Beat The Bank in a G2. His last 2 runs at Group 1 level were nondescript, but back down in class he cannot be discounted. 3/1 looks about right.
Miss O Connor steps up in class following a win at Listed level last time. She is 3/3 now, she loves it soft and she looks a shrewd purchase by connections. However, in receipt of weight from the older horses, Great Scot could be the one to be on. This son of Requinto has failed to deliver on the massive potential he showed as a 2yo. However, he has run some big races in defeat and the return to Haydock could be just what he needs. He is 2/2 here, over 7f on good and 8f on heavy (on this card last season). His trainer is in superb form and at 7/1 Great Scot is the e/w NAP of the day.
SATURDAY HAYDOCK RACING TIPS: GREAT SCOT E/W @ 7/1 NAP
Saturday Haydock Racing Tips: 3.00 – Ascendant Stakes (Listed)
The Listed Ascendant Stakes has attracted a field of 8 juveniles, 7 colts and just 1 filly. This race isn’t live on ITV but it is a nice little race worth looking at. No filly has won the Ascendant Stakes since Singapore Lilly for Mick Channon back in 2010. However, Sesame Birah has lots of experience, solid form and she will have the assistance of Ryan Moore in the saddle. She is the favourite on the tissue and my guess is she will be priced up at around 3/1. She holds Pyledriver on their meeting at Newbury last time (7f sft) and on similar ground she can uphold the form.
Pyledriver actually shaped really nicely that day. However, the suspicion remains he will be most effective on better ground. Great Scot, our fancy in the previous race, won this last year for Tom Dascombe. He also trained the runner up in 2016, his only two runners in the race in the past 5 years. He’s a Keeper ran a blinder here over 7f on debut (gd/sft) to finish strongly for 2nd. The step up to a mile resulted in a bloodless victory on soft, also at this course. Others have achieved more, but this son of Brazen Beau is unexposed and has c&d winning form. He is priced up at 7/1 and He’s A Keeper is well worth chancing each way.
SATURDAY HAYDOCK RACING TIPS: HE’S A KEEPER E/W @ 7/1
Haydock Racing Preview: 3.35 – Old Borough Cup Handicap (Class 2)
The Old Borough Cup is a 14f handicap for horses aged 3yo and upwards. Just like for the earlier handicap, Gosden and Dettori team up with the jolly Corelli. This fella has produced his best form on good ground this season. He does have a soft ground win in the book as a 3yo, but that was a very weak 3 runner contest. Corelli has to prove he can reproduce his best on easy ground and he is probably best watched on this occasion.
If it comes up good to soft rather than soft, Theglasgowwarrior looks a massive price. Jim Goldie’s son of Sir Percy is a very talented performer on his day and heavy ground was against him last time. He is better judged on his super run behind Eddystone Rock previously at Ascot (16f gd). He has done all his winning over 11f to 12.5f, with his last victory coming off 89. Jim Goldie’s charge definitley stays further than that though as his placed form indicates.
All his wins have come on good, good to firm and on the all weather, but his form on good to soft is strong. He ran a blinder off 88 over this trip in a big handicap at Doncaster last season (gd/sft) and a repeat of that could see him hit the frame here at 25/1. There needs to be good in the ground description though, so don’t back him until ground conditions are certain.
HAYDOCK TIPS SATURDAY: THEGLASGOWWARRIOR E/W @ 25/1 (if good in Ground description)
Haydock Racing Preview: 4.10 – Sprint Cup Stakes (Group 1)
The highlight on a super card of action at Haydock on Saturday is the Sprint Cup. This Group 1 6f contest has produced some high class winners over the years. Previous victors include the likes of Harry Angel, Quiet Reflection and Dream Ahead. The Tin Man won it last year and he is back to defend his crown. Plenty fancy Khaadem for this after his Goodwood handicap win last time.
However, if you do like Khaadem then Waldfpad represents massive value. He beat Khaadem by almost 2L at Newbury (6f gd/sft) and he is 6lb better off here. Advertise is the favourite after his Group 1 win in France last time. He beat Brando a neck there on good ground (6f) and he has form on good to soft. Ten Sovereigns would prefer quicker ground, as would the other Ballydoyle candidate Fairyland.
One horse that will relish conditions and who can be backed at a massive price is Major Jumbo. This 5yo son of Zebedee has acquitted himself really well in some cracking races this season. He got his ground for the first time this season at Chester last month and hosed up. His form behind Mabs Cross at Newmarket (5f gd/fm) and Invincible Army at York (6f gd/fm) is pretty decent and his career form figures on ground with soft in the description read 3171111. 66/1 looks huge about Major Jumbo and at that price he has to be worth backing each way.
