Rory Delargy
HAYDOCK SATURDAY:
2.00 888SPORT PINNACLE STAKES (1M3F200Y)
It’s likely that Middleton Stakes runner-up Talmada will start favourite here, and while she has plenty in her favour, it’s dangerous to assume her second to Secret Gesture is a genuine step forward in form terms; that pair definitely enjoyed a tactical advantage over their rivals in helping to set an even tempo, and a bare reading of the collateral form lines is potentially misleading.
Roger Varian’s filly still merits respect, but recent rainfall is another slight concern, and preference at the forecast prices is for Queen Of Ice.
One of pair trained by William Haggas in this race, the daughter of Selkirk won’t mind any cut, and flourished in the autumn, winning the Galtres at York and the Sakhee Stakes at Newmarket on her final two starts.
She made all the running for those wins, and is likely to gain an uncontested lead once more, which may well give her an edge on her rivals, while she’s also been successful at the first time of asking in each of her seasons to race.
A straightforward ride with a tremendous attitude under pressure, she’s certain to give backers a run for their money.
2.35 TIMEFORM JURY (JOHN OF GAUNT) STAKES (7F)
“What’s Another Year” is the refrain from me as I look at the John of Gaunt Stakes, with the memory of Breton Rock failing narrowly in 2014 still rather more raw than I’d like in the memory.
David Simcock’s charge has done me a few favours in the last 18 months, but that defeat still hurts.
The five-year-old gelding looked as good as ever when mid-field in the Lockinge two weeks ago despite finishing behind the reopposing Cable Bay.
Conditions that day were too fast for the son of Bahamian Bounty, and he was drawn away from the main action on his return from a break.
He’s confidently expected to reverse that form at a track which he handles well, and the more rain which hits the North West, the better for this proven mudlark.
If there is one scenario which could play against us, it’s the possibility of That Is The Spirit getting an uncontested lead and turning the race into a tactical affair; that scenario is a realistic one, but while it does count as a potential negative to the selection’s chances, the simple solution is to have a small saver on David O’Meara’s runner.
3.10 888SPORT ACHILLES STAKES (5F)
Pretend, who is one of a number of Godolphin horses to have flourished in a beefed-up all-weather programme , would have been the choice but is an unlikely runner due to ground conditions.
On the other hand, Music Master has already shown himself ideally suited by conditions, having finished an excellent third in the Sprint Cup here last season.
Henry Candy’s entire is arguably even better at the minimum trip, and will have derived plenty of benefit from a pipe-opener in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket last month, where he travelled powerfully until lack of peak fitness found him out.
He’s all about speed, and appeals as a long-range prospect for the Nunthorpe at York in August.
3.45 888SPORT SANDY LANE STAKES (6F)
It’s almost impossible to oppose Limato in what looks a dress rehearsal for the newly-inaugurated Commonwealth Cup at next month’s Royal Meeting, but he’s well found in the market having beaten most of these rivals already.
It’s possible that Mattmu could be a genuine threat given he’s clearly improved since slammed by the favourite in the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar, and the latter’s run in the Duke of York Stakes marks him down as capable of beating the older sprinters despite his youth.
He was carrying a penalty at York and raced close to an overly-strong pace, so his narrow defeat is all the more meritorious, and that effort was at least the equal of Limato’s reappearance win at Ascot. Tim Easterby’s charge may sim
ply be playing for minor honours behind a nascent superstar, but he can’t be out of the money if running to the Knavesmire form, and looks an each-way bet to nothing as a result.
Of the others, it’s possible that Beacon may provide a little value in any market without the favourite.
He is sure to be a big price having finished down the field in the race Limato won at Ascot. He’s held by several others on that form, but met some trouble before being eased, and is better than the bare result.
He may be able to turn the tables with the likes of Burnt Sugar and Markaz with a better run.
YORK SATURDAY:
2.20 STOWE FAMILY LAW LLP GRAND CUP (1¾M)
At first glance, it seems madness to select Big Orange here given he was beaten comprehensively by Clever Cookie in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester last time, but while everything played to the strengths of the winner there, Big Orange didn’t give his running for some reason or another, possibly due to the swamp-like conditions, or possibly because he simply had an off-day, but jockey Tom Queally never looked comfortable with how the horse was moving, and he was eased when beaten.
The strapping son of Duke Of Marmalade had shown himself much better than that form when winning at Chester and Ascot last term, and it’s worth forgiving him that blip, especially as his odds are sure to be inflated in comparison with the Ormonde winner.
He’s a late-developing type who remains open to improvement, so can hopefully get back on track, and the reasonably quick return suggests nothing was seriously amiss last time.
Aside from Clever Cookie, Nabatean may be a threat even if Big Orange is back to his best, but it’s worth pointing out that his impressive handicap win at Nottingham in the autumn came off a mark a full 10lb lower than the one the selection managed to defy at the Roodee in August.
RECOMMENDED:
BIG ORANGE 2.20 York - 1pt win
BRETON ROCK 2.35 Haydock - 1pt e/w
MUSIC MASTER 3.10 Haydock - 2pts win
MATTMU 3.45 Haydock - 1pt e/w