The ground was given as soft at Haydock for this afternoon’s seven-race card which includes the first 7f juvenile race of the year and begins with a competitive extended ten-furlong handicap.
Where’s Jeff heads the market and is 2lbs well-in carrying a 5lbs penalty for his recent Hamilton success, but I feel this is a stronger race. Cozone is interesting returning from a short break but must prove his effectiveness on soft ground and Firewater (1.00) gets the each way vote in the absence of Imperial Masquerade.
The selection – 9s with BetVictor – was has gone well fresh in the past, will love underfoot conditions and should have the race run to suit with Molinari likely to ensure a true test.
I was surprised Wild Beauty (1.30) made her debut over the minimum trip at Ascot earlier in the month given her breeding and she will certainly appreciate today’s sixth furlong in the juvenile fillies maiden. William Buick goes to Goodwood for six rides and James Doyle – who has four good chances at Haydock – takes over in the saddle. The filly was 6/4 in places on Thursday but a top price of Evens with Boylesports on Friday.
Wink Of An Eye (4.25) has been raised 5lbs for finishing a 2L never nearer second at Goodwood on his handicap debut and that looks harsh as he looked to be going nowhere two out only to fly home when the race was over. He was flattered to get so close to the heavily eased winner, but he ought to be sharper for the run and I hope to see James Doyle race the gelded son of Dubawi more prominently than was the case under Fallon in Sussex. The selection is 2s with MansionBet.
At Goodwood Dulas (1.40) was collared close home at Chester over an additional half furlong and the hope is that Silvestre de Sousa can hold on to his 4-y-old for a bit longer this afternoon. The selection – 6/4 with 10Bet – has been raised 2lbs for that effort but the third – Kynren – won a competitive handicap at York last week and I hope to see Dulas go one better than on the Roodeye although he wouldn’t want too much rain.
The listed Height Of Fashion Stakes is a very ordinary renewal which I think will be fought out between Lady Hayes and the quaintly named Nash Nasha (2.15) who gets the vote having failed to stay in the Lingfield Oaks Trial last time.
The ew selection – 7s with Boylesports – had previously showed a good attitude when scoring over today’s trip at Sandown and she gets a narrow vote ahead of the Roger Varian trained Lady Hayes who failed to settle on her reappearance. She has excellent claims on her juvenile form.
The colts’ listed race is a better contest, and I am a big fan of Stay Well (3.25) who stakes a big step up in grade having won a Windsor maiden on his reappearance from a 78 rated horse. The time was good, and he put 8L between him and the runner up last month and he is an exciting prospect for Hughie Morrison. Note he still holds an entry in the Derby for which he is currently priced at 40/1. The colt is 5/2 with 10Bet.
