Seymour Biz foresees a third consecutive triumph, for William Haggas’ inmate, at Haydock on Saturday. Here are his Lucky 15 selections.
This weekend is the Shergar Cup at Ascot and if you are having a party or a barbecue, put the numbers 1-12 into a hat and let your guests pick one. They should then back that number all day because they’ve got about as much chance of picking a winner at this meeting as anyone. If you’ve ever been to one of those race nights where they show DVD’s of race meetings, the Shergar Cup is the live equivalent. So, as I’m sure you will have gathered I will make no effort to try and tip anything at this awful meeting and will look elsewhere. There are two other fine meetings on television at Haydock and Newmarket so I will look to concentrate on those. Haydock’s main race is the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes and that looks a good betting heat this year, it is backed up with a Ladies Trophy with some top class female riders in attendance. There is also a fine card at Newmarket with the highlight being the Sweet Solara Stakes so these two meetings are where I will look to for this weeks Lucky Fifteen.
Newmarket’s german-thoroughbred Sweet Solara Stakes at 3.45 is a 7 furlong race for 2-year-old fillies and this years renewal certainly has some classy animals in attendance. If you are lucky enough to be at Newmarket, get down to the paddock and watch these beautiful fillies strutting their stuff, see the way they move, they practically glide along as if they’re in a beauty contest. Current favourite is Main Edition from Mark Johnson’s yard, the filly ran up a treble before coming unstuck at Newmarket’s July meeting in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes. She got roughed up that day being squeezed, bumped and hampered a furlong out when pressing the leaders. She couldn’t recover from that and was eased afterwards, I’m sure she can make amends here. La Pelosa also suffered in the melee that day when hampered against the rail, but she was struggling at the time. She did not seem herself when only third at Sandown last time and is best watched. Ahead of her that day was Richard Hannon’s Ajrar who nudged La Pelosa out of the way to take second on the line. She was a little green that day and can improve. Pennywhistle won a four runner event over this course and distance last month, but that was a poor contest and she is not in this class. Henry de Bromhead has an interesting runner in Chicago May who won a maiden at Naas early last month at a big price. She defied her odds to take the lead a furlong out and won under hands and heels, she could be a good prospect.
Up at Haydock the first televised race is the 1.55, the Smarkets Haydock Park Ladies Trophy Handicap. Up at the top of the betting is Paul Nicholls’s Birds Of Prey, he has run twice on the all-weather this year finishing fourth on both occasions. A run on turf could be what he has been crying out for. A better prospect could be Rashdan from Hugo Palmer’s yard who won on the all-weather last time at Newcastle with Georgia Cox riding. She will be booked for this race again and has a good chance. Mister Belvedere was second at York last time behind Pacify, but prior to that had won at the same course with Sophie Dods up. If they renew their partnership he could go well. One I like the look of is William Of Orange trained by Donald McCain, twice a winner at this course, he is fit from hurdling. His latest outing was at Cartmel where he kept on well to lead in the last strides, he showed great fight that day and if putting in the same level of commitment can take this contest. Another worth a mention is Atkinson Grimshaw from Iain Jardine’s yard. He ran well at Ripon in his penultimate race and his latest outing came too soon after that, if he can be held up from a good pace he could run into a place at a good price.
At 2.30 the Smarkets/British EBF Dick Hern Stakes is a fillies and mares one mile race. William Haggas sends Move Swiftly to try to complete her hat-trick after a fine victory at Goodwood last week when she quickened over the final furlong to win comfortably. She looks to have the credentials to step up in class and take this contest. Lincoln Rocks has been unable to open her account this term after three victories last year and the 5 year old seems out of sorts. Whereas a horse on the upgrade is Shepherd Market who ran second here at Haydock in May when just held by Labrega. The firm ground we have had this summer has been against her, the rain promised in the North-West will suit her. Narella from Roger Varian’s yard looks interesting, a dual winner in Germany, her only outing so far here has been disappointing. Her run at Sandown was poor to say the least when she was beaten a furlong out, perhaps she is another who needs a bit of cut in the ground. Ed Walker’s Agrotera is going for a hat-trick after her latest victory at Royal Ascot but softer ground may be against her, both her wins have been on good/firm. Threading should be watched if turning out for this, she was a very disappointing favourite at Goodwood last week and trainer Mark Johnston could offer no explanation, the market should be a guide to her chance if nothing is amiss.
Finally we have the Smarkets Betting Exchange Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at 3.05. Elwazir is the bookmakers favourite after winning both starts this season. He bolted up at Sandown in June and followed that up with a comfortable win at Ascot in July, he is stepping up in class here but trainer Owen Burrows will have the Frankel colt spot on for this. John Gosden has Crossed Baton entered, a beaten favourite in France last time, his previous run was a good second behind Hunting Horn at Royal Ascot. Zaaki has been there or thereabouts this season, he has been highly tried since his victory in April and Sir Michael Stoute places him here after a good second behind Communique at Newmarket. Communique comes here on the back of two great victories in top class races at Goodwood and Newmarket and if at his best must have great chance. Connect won at Epsom in June and trainer Clive Cox has been waiting for some cut in the ground since. At a bigger price Brorocco can run a good race, he has been close up in all his races this year and his second behind Thundering Blue at York last time was an excellent effort, he can make the frame at a nice price. But in a very strong contest I will side with Elwazir to complete his hat trick.
Saturday Lucky 15
3.45 Newmarket. Main Edition
1.55 Haydock. William Of Orange
2.30 Haydock. Move Swiftly
3.05 Haydock. Elwazir
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