Katie Midwinter (02/09/22)
There’s plenty of action across the cards on Saturday, with the feature race of the day coming from Haydock, in the 3:30pm Group One Sprint Cup Stakes over 6f.
Minzaal is the current market leader, narrowly ahead of Naval Crown, with last year’s winner Emaraaty Ana best priced at 7/1. All three will hope to be competitive but there are plenty in the field capable of making an impression.
There are horses available at big prices who could well outrun their odds, including Flaming Rib who may be one to consider.
David Evans’ Rohaan is back down in trip and is a versatile performer who will be able to cope with conditions if the ground is softer than expected.
There is rain forecast but if the ground remains on the firmer side of good then Naval Crown will be tough to beat if at his best.
With some give in the ground, however, Rohaan is a threat and, although he can be inconsistent, if he is on song, he’s more than capable of putting in a strong showing.
This could be an opportunity for him to bounce back to form and claim his first Group One success.
Rohaan 9/1 – David Evans, Hollie Doyle
1:15pm – Ascendant Stakes (Listed Race)
It’s difficult to oppose the favourite, Naval Power, who should have the beating of this field. He’s three from three in his career to date as he steps up in trip to a mile.
The extra furlong shouldn’t be a problem, as he’s been staying on well over 7f and his pedigree suggests he’ll be suited to a mile and perhaps further in time.
A few of his rivals have a bit to prove but they could spring a surprise as they’re young, inexperienced and capable of showing plenty of progression.
Lion Of War, the late Roaring Lion’s first winner as a sire, was quite disappointing at Newmarket when last seen, but did win his first two racecourse starts, including when beating the field by ten-lengths at Newcastle in June.
It would be wonderful to see him bounce back and turn out to be a talented colt, to continue his father’s legacy.
Naval Crown 4/9 – Charlie Appleby, William Buick
1:45pm – Superior Mile Stakes (Group 3)
The favourite, Reach For The Moon, is quite short in the market, and, although he is talented, he hasn’t been convincing this season and isn’t the most reliable and may be worth opposing.
An alternative is Bayside Boy, who is yet to show the same ability as a three-year-old, but possessed plenty of talent as a juvenile and may be worth keeping the faith in.
His first run this season came in the competitive Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Longchamp, which didn’t suit.
He then ran in the St James’ Palace Stakes, finishing two-lengths behind the winner, Coroebus, and although he wasn’t in contention, he stayed on well at the finish.
Quite often he has appeared to flatten out in the closing stages before rallying and finishing strongly.
The addition of first-time blinkers could be beneficial and may help him focus more on the task in hand.
He won a Group Two as a two-year-old, and placed twice in Group One contests. Roger Varian has been in good form of late, recording a 28% strike rate in the past two weeks, and this may be the time for this New Bay colt to show his true ability.
Bayside Boy 5/1 – Roger Varian, William Buick
2:20pm – Class 2 Handicap
This appears a deep race, with plenty of horses in with a chance of claiming the win.
The current favourite, Tamilla for William Haggas, is by Nathaniel who has produced a number of useful stayers, and this 1m6f trip should suit.
The three-year-old filly has good form as a juvenile behind Emily Upjohn and she has been performing well of late, recording back-to-back wins when last seen at Kempton. Adjuvant and Inverness are both worthy of being towards the head of the market, whilst Zain Nights appears at a huge price and certainly has each-way claims.
Thundering, for Kevin Ryan, finished a good second in a competitive handicap at York recently, and is only 2lbs higher this time out.
He does carry top-weight in this contest, but should be considered as a horse capable of being victorious.
An interesting contender is Irish Lullaby, also by Nathaniel.
Jessica Harrington’s filly is ground versatile, and should be able to handle conditions if the forecast rain does arrive.
She has won on good ground as well as on a softer surface and when last seen at Galway she dealt with a 7lbs rise in the weights extremely well to record a second successive win.
This time out she is 4lbs higher and has Frankie Dettori onboard.
Irish Lullaby 12/1 – Mrs John Harrington, Frankie Dettori
2:55pm – Class 2 Handicap
Another tough handicap on the card at 2:55pm and with the withdrawal of Soulcombe the race appears wide open.
Evaluation has been coping well with the rise in weights recently and recorded four successive wins earlier this season.
He now runs off a career-high mark of 93 but shouldn’t be discounted.
The ever-consistent Rajinsky is another worthy of consideration as a horse who always gives his all and is capable of making the frame.
Charging Thunder is another who makes the shortlist. He was disappointing at York but could bounce back off the same mark of 98, sporting cheekpieces.
However, the nod goes to Dark Jedi as he impressed in the paddock at York and went on to outrun his odds, as he often does, to finish a decent fourth, a length behind second-placed Thundering.
Tim Easterby’s gelding is a likable type, and is currently the outsider of the field, making him an enticing each-way selection.
His current mark of 98 may make it tough for him to gain the victory here, but he may represent some value in the field.
Dark Jedi 25/1 (EW) – Tim Easterby, Duran Fentiman
Other selections:
Kempton (AW) 2:05pm: Solid Stone 8/1 – Sir Michael Stoute, Richard Kingscote
Solid Stone needs to prove he stays, but a few of his rivals do too.
He won over 1m3f last season and performed well at Chester in May having been given an excellent tactical ride by Ryan Moore.
He has previously run three times on an all-weather surface, winning once and placing twice.
His trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, is currently performing at a 33% strike rate, and this six-year-old gelding is worth another try at the trip, and may perform better this time out.
Kempton (AW) 2:40pm: On A Session 12/1 (EW) – David & Nicola Barron, Hector Crouch
The six-year-old gelding has decent form in competitive handicaps and has previously run well at the track.
He’s 1lbs lower than when fifth at Chester last time out, and whilst he may not be well-handicapped, at his best he remains a threat and in an open field he could be good enough off his current mark.
Ascot 3:10pm: Shining Blue 12/1 (EW) – Saeed bin Suroor, Neil Callan
Shining Blue drops back to 7f which could suit as he didn’t quite see out the mile well enough at York last time out.
He was disappointing in his prior run too, but had plenty of excuses as he had a poor draw and had to be taken wide to gain a prominent position.
There could be more to come from him as he’s lightly-raced and showed tremendous ability on debut.
Ropey Guest is another to consider in the contest. An old favourite who often puts in a great effort.
THE CONDITIONAL 