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Rain a big Beckett bonus

Epsom selections Saturday 6th June

This looks like being the wettest Derby Day for some time and for the first time I can remember it looks certain horses will be coming down the stands side for the big race in particular. That is good news for trainer Ralph Beckett who has two horses proven on soft ground on the card including a sporting each-way bet in the Classic. Spoken Truth was placed for the each-way bet yesterday (SP 12/1).

Epsom 3.15: Arklow Lad & Dionysius

Given the prevailing going, it looks sensible to concentrate on those drawn in double figures nearest to the stands side where the driest ground is likely to be.

ARKLOW LAD has in theory the plumb draw in 20. This 4yo c**t did not get going until last July, but has been busy since and is definitely on the upgrade. He won a soft ground maiden at Bellewstown in the autumn which augurs well for his ability to handle conditions today.

Sold to the Horse Watchers over the winter, he has already bagged two wins, including one on good-to-soft at Pontefract where the stamina just lasted out long enough over that stiff 5f. Since then he has run with great respect on faster ground at York and can race off the same mark of 86 today. He is not a front-runner, so luck in running will be required, but there is still mileage in his mark and conditions won’t be a problem for this c**t.

DIONYSIUS was a heavy ground winner in his native France on his last start before joining Ian Williams. Having taken time to acclimatise to his new surroundings, he has certainly been improving throughout 2026 for his new stable and this looks an ideal challenge for him.

Third in Dubai over the winter, he resumed in the UK with a second place at Newmarket at the Craven meeting and showed his ability to handle a downland track when filling the same place at Goodwood last time. His one poor run came in between times at Ripon where fast ground was given as the excuse for his poor showing. Stall 15 looks a decent berth.

Epsom 4.00 Bay of Brilliance & Benvenuto Cellini

To me BENVENUTO CELLINI looks the best horse in the race and the only thing likely to stop him winning is an absolute downpour during the afternoon. That is possible though, so I will also be having an each-way play on the proven mudlark BAY OF BRILLIANCE.

Benvenuto was only really getting going in the final 2f when landing the Chester Vase last time, a race Aidan O’Brien has really targeted in recent seasons with his Derby hopefuls. Stamina is therefore guaranteed, the only issue is the going as he seemed to find heavy conditions at Doncaster too tough in the Futurity last autumn.

That said, I doubt the ground will get quite that bad today and this horse is probably the only one in the race who can lie up with a fast pace and then extend when asked. He looked brilliant when taking the Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend last season.

Bay of Brilliance was narrowly defeated in the Lingfield Derby Trial on his last start, but that effort confirmed he is a thorough stayer and he did have to contend with going much faster than he will find today. Both successes last season were gained on testing ground and he looks a relentless galloper.

Admittedly he did not need to be up to much to win at Redcar, albeit his 8l win was an absolute trouncing of the opposition and the second home that day, Poker, actually reopposes today. However it was his win over 10f at Goodwood on soft going that marked him down with the potential here. Every drop of rain that falls will be in his favour as any sort of stamina test will suit him more than anything in the line up.

Epsom 4.40: Hell Yeah He Did

The same connections responsible for Bay of Brilliance have the leading contender for the next in HELL YEAH HE DID.

This race represents a seasonal debut and first appearance in a handicap, but there is surely more to come from Beckett’s charge who has been gelded since some useful efforts as a juvenile. His first real sign of promise came when second on heavy ground at Salisbury on his second run back in September. He was tried over as far as this 10f next time at Pontefract where he seemed to see out the distance perfectly well when third.

A lack of opportunities over the distance meant he dropped back to a mile for his final run at Nottingham where he made no mistake, once again on soft going. His opening mark of 85 looks fair and whilst he did not always look straight forward last term, that gelding might well bring about considerable improvement.

Epsom 5.20: Spinning Wheel

Some classy sorts in the Northern Dancer, particularly SPINNING WHEEL who could well progress into pattern company this season, at least when the ground is on the soft side.

He made a perfectly decent start to his new campaign when chasing home Valedictory at Goodwood last time, a strong effort considering the ground was drying out fast that afternoon. He showed his aptitude for cut in the ground when winning at Leicester on his final start of 2025 getting the better of Hopewell Rock in a sustained duel.

In time this horse will no doubt want further – he is entered in the Northumberland Plate at the end of the month, but a combination of softening ground and a stiff, undulating track should bring his stamina enough into play today.

Recommended bets:

1pt each-way – Arklow Lad – 3.15 Epsom –9/1 William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 5)

1pt each-way – Dionysius – 3.15 Epsom – 14/1 Betfred, William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 5)

1pt win – Benvenuto Cellini – 4.00 Epsom – 9/4 Unibet

1pt each-way – Bay of Brilliance – 4.00 Epsom – 16/1 general (1/5 odds 1st 3)

1pt win – Hell Yeah He Did – 4.40 Epsom – 100/30 general

1pt each-way – Spinning Wheel – 5.20 Epsom – 11/2 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 5)

Bookending Epsom’s big handicap

Epsom selections Friday 5th June

The first of two days at Epsom’s revamped Derby meeting. The oaks remains the centrepiece of the opening day, but I am looking at the big handicap on the card at 3.15 where the top and bottom weights stand out. Blue Courvoisier was a winner for us (advised 11/1) at Carlisle last weekend.

Epsom 3.15: Liberty Lane & Spoken Truth

In the betting, two horses stand out – Sallaal who has the scope for group races down the line, and Respond a progressive front runner, but who could face plenty of competition for the lead. On this idiosyncratic track, I would rather look at horses at bigger odds in such a competitive heat, so have two each-way selections to take them on with.

LIBERTY LANE runs in his first handicap since landing the 2024 Cambridgeshire at Newmarket defying top weight to win off a mark of 105. That completed a successful campaign that saw him in a good light giving weight away all round in handicaps.

Last season he was kept to pattern races, winning a listed contest at Goodwood early season, before following up at a similar level on his preferred softish ground at Newmarket. This term he probably needed the run when only fifth at Longchamp on his return, and then travelled well in a Group 3 at Newbury last time before fading over 12f. That was his first attempt at that longer distance and I simply don’t think he stays that far. Back at handicap level and back over 10f, he has the claim of Jack Nicholls to help take the weight off. Ignore his run in this race in 2024 as he was continually denied a clear run and would have gone very close with more luck in running. He is a class act who ought to be thereabouts.

Right at the bottom of the handicap is SPOKEN TRUTH who has made a promising start to his new career with David O’Meara since coming over from Ireland in the winter. He made a decent return at the opening turf meeting at Doncaster when beaten 2l.

He built on that when second at Ripon in April, both of those runs coming on similar ground to today and he won his maiden at Cork last season on soft going, so conditions should be fine. His turn looked near when second in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar and he is only a pound higher today.

Recommended bets:

1pt each-way – Liberty Lane – 3.15 Epsom –12/1 Bet365, Unibet (1/5 odds 1st 5)

1pt each-way – Spoken Truth – 3.15 Epsom – 11/1 Bet365 (1/5 odds 1st 5)

Golden day for Goldie?

Carlisle & Chester selections Saturday 30th May

Having stepped in at the last minute to cover for the problems on Haydock’s track, Carlisle stages what surely must be its best ever card this afternoon. I have selections from three races including the Silver Cup rerouted from Haydock’s ill-fated card last week.

Carlisle 1.30: Humble Spark

Although this might be a grade above the normal sort of race he contests, there are good reasons to think HUMBLE SPARK has a big each-way chance in the opener.

The gelding is on a 14 race losing streak and usually plies his trade on the All Weather. However his turf form of late has been great. Twice this month he has finished second at Hamilton in valuable handicaps at around this trip. This horse is a confirmed hold up horse who needs the front-runners to come back to him and then get luck in running to plot his way through the field.

In Ghaiyya and Topteam there are at least two horses in the field who should set a decent gallop and that should bring Humble Spark into the race late on. He does having winning form on turf – at Hamilton another track with a stiff finish and with no weight to carry he is in the form to be on the premises.

Carlisle 2.00: Jordan Electrics

Trainer Jim Goldie has another big chance in the next with JORDAN ELECTRICS.

The 10yo enjoyed a remarkable season in 2024 winning six times climbing up the ratings to a high of 102. He was in the grip of the handicapper as a result last season despite some decent performances in races like the 6f heritage handicap at York’s Ebor meeting where he finished fifth. However the assessor has finally relented that grip now and he is back down to a workable mark of 88.

He ran two fine races over as far as 7f recently, second in a competitive heat at Newmarket and then sixth in the Victoria Cup at Ascot. I think we can draw a line through his last run at Hamilton as 5f is simply too sharp a test these days. There are no worries about his ability at 6f though and another thing in his favour is he is 2-2 at Carlisle.

Chester 3.30: Supido

It probably took all of 2025 for Supido to acclimatise to his new surroundings with Ian Williams having moved from his native France. However his course win at the big May meeting here indicated he is fully settled in now and he can follow up back at Chester today.

He acted perfectly on this turning track and ran on gamely for pressure in the straight for Billy Loughnane to see off Snow Master. He has the same pilot on board today and has only been put up 4lbs for that win.

There are two confirmed front-runners in the race and they are drawn 1 & 2 so it seems pretty obvious they will make use of their stalls to blaze a trail. Supido happens to be drawn right next door in 3 so should get the perfect tow into the race.

Carlisle 3.45: Princling & Blue Courvoisier

This race should have been run at Haydock last week but has been switched to this far more undulating track. However I have no concerns that this will be an issue for my main selection PRINCLING last week so I stick by William Haggas’ c**t.

Whilst he was an easy winner of a weak novice at Wetherby last month, at least advertising his well being, it was his efforts in defeat at the back end of last season that make him the one to beat today. He was just touched off at Kempton on debut despite running very green, and then only found the very useful Yazin too good at Newmarket.

On both occasions he was staying on strongly over 7f and he got the mile well at Wetherby. Indeed as a son of Frankellina, placed twice over 10f in pattern races, he ought to stay further, so this stiffer track should be ideal.

BLUE COURVOISIER looks an each-way saver alternative. He won on debut on Leicester’s undulating track last season and although he has not won in three starts since, he has shown promise on each occasion and gained valuable experience without ruining his handicap mark in the process.

At both Newmarket and Ascot this season he raced prominently throughout and kept going well for second and fourth place respectively. Carlisle can often suit front-runners, especially on fast ground so I can see this c**t being up there throughout. At the odds he looks Clive Cox’s second string, but I would be worried about the fast ground for Langstone who has hung badly in his last couple of races and the trainer has already shown misgivings about running him on firm ground.

Recommended bets:

1pt each-way – Humble Spark– 1.30 Carlisle –8/1 Bet365 (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)

1pt each-way – Jordan Electrics – 2.0 Carlisle – 7/1 genera (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)

1pt win – Supido – 3.30 Chester – 11/4 general

1pt win – Princling – 3.45 Carlisle – 11/4 general

1pt each-way – Blue Courvoisier – 3.45 Carlisle – 11/1 Unibet (1/5 odds 1st 4)

Stars are Aligned for Johnston’s gelding

Haydock, Goodwood & York selections Saturday 23rd May

It is one of those Saturdays where the big races are spread all over the place and therefore I am looking at three flat meetings in the UK where there are a host of competitive handicaps to get stuck into. Sahara King was placed for the each-way bet at Newbury last week (advised 5/1).

Haydock 2.20: Princling & Jamestown

Although he won as he liked on his comeback run at Wetherby last month, that victory was certainly not the reason for highlighting PRINCLING for this big 3yo handicap. That was a very weak race that took little winning. Instead it was his two runs at the back end of last season as a juvenile that pinpoints him as the one to beat here.

Despite running very green, he was just touched off by a nose on debut at Kempton, beaten by a 90 rated Godolphin horse. He then kept on well for second on turf debut at Newmarket, winning his group on the near side with ease, but was no match for the now 104 rated Yazin. William Haggas will always leave plenty to work on, but an opening mark of 87 looks too good to refuse here.

As a value alternative JAMESTOWN might be a maiden, but he has run a couple of cracking races already and his odds are probably only as big as they are due to a wide draw. Three non-runners will help, but this horse is happy being held up and should get a clear run from that berth.

He looked green when narrowly beaten by Bobby Mcgee in a Gowran maiden, but was far more professional when just failing to catch the same individual on handicap debut at Naas last time. A strong gallop would be a help here, and there usually is one in a race as hot as this, for this gelding is bred to stay further than this mile.

York 2.40: Sports Coach & Reigning Profit

Another typical cavalry charge with a near maximum field down the York straight and it is two near the bottom of the handicap who appeal.

I thought SPORTS COACH was a real eyecatcher here last week when sixth over this 5f having been given plenty of cover early on. That was not his first good run here as he was a decent fifth on his first start for three months last summer. He looks the type to really appreciate a fast end-to-end gallop over the minimum distance.

He is possibly not ideally drawn in 15 given the usual propensity for sprint winners to go far these days at York, but there does seem to be enough pace drawn high to give him a decent tow into the race.

REIGNING PROFIT is difficult to win with, but he is a strong traveller and almost won one of the big 5f handicap prizes at Ascot last summer in a similar big field. This time of year is usually when Ruth Carr’s string are at their peak and this 7yo looks be running into top form on the basis of his excellent second at Hamilton last weekend.

He can race off the same mark of 76 today, his lowest rating since winning back to back races last spring at Pontefract and Ripon. He does have the potential advantage of a single figure draw and Warren Fentiman’s claim means the gelding gets even more weight from every other horse in the race.
Haydock 4.05: Hermetic

Trainer Ian Williams has done really well with a number of French imports over the years and he might well have found another gem in HERMETIC.

He is already a 2m winner as a 3yo in France on their version of soft ground, so stamina looks fairly assured, given he led all the way that day, despite pressure from other horses. However his UK debut at York last week was full of promise and as long as this race does not come too soon, it is easy to see him building on that.

In a very competitive 12f handicap, he raced prominently throughout and though many of the other front-runners dropped away, he kept galloping right to the line, simply lacking the pace over that trip of the fancied winner Master Builder. He steps up 4f in distance today and there are plenty in opposition who don’t look proven in terms of recent form.

Goodwood 4.20: Align the Stars

There is a very good staying handicap hidden away at the backend of Goodwood’s card and a hot day will ensure the track dries out enough to turn this race in the favour of ALIGN THE STARS.

This gelding was an impressive winner over course and distance on very fast ground at the 2024 Glorious meeting and whilst his form has been very up and down since, this track clearly suits and the horse is very comfortable making his own running, something that should be easier to do with a slimmed down field.

He somewhat lost his way in 2025, despite a couple of decent efforts in similar grade, but after a winter off he looked rejuvenated when winning the Queens Prize at Kempton in March. He showed that win to be no fluke when chasing home our selection Goblet of Fire in a good handicap at Newmarket last time. Whilst he is creeping up the ratings again, at 98 he is still 1lb lower than when scoring at the big meeting here in 2024, so whilst he is in great form, he looks the one to beat today.

Recommended bets:

1pt win – Princling – 2.20 Haydock – 100/30 general

1pt each-way – Jamestown – 2.20 Haydock – 18/1 Bet365 (1/5 odds 1st 4)

1pt each-way – Sports Coach – 2.40 York –16/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 5)

0.5pts each-way – Reigning Profit – 2.40 York – 9/1 Paddy Power (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 6)

1pt win – Hermetic – 4.05 Haydock – 7/2 Betfred

1pt win – Align the Stars – 4.20 Goodwood – 7/2 Bet365, Paddy Power

Don’t desert Sahara

Newbury selections Saturday 16th May

The big meetings continue with Newbury staging arguably their biggest day’s flat card in the calendar, featuring the only Group 1 of the season at the Berkshire track, the Lockinge. I have a selection for the big race, but on a cracking card also have bets in three other handicaps. Rahiebb gave us a winner in the Yorkshire Cup yesterday (4/1).

Newbury 2.35: Damysus

A real flashy type, DAMYSUS was threatening to not fulfil his undoubted potential when trailing home last in the 2025 Derby. However he has since been reinvented as a horse over shorter and can successfully transition down to a mile today.

With Ballydoyle putting in a pacemaker, there is surely no doubt that a strong gallop is likely and that will help Damysus who benefitted from a strong pace when making a sparkling comeback in the Group 3 Earl of Sefton at Newmarket last month. That was his second consecutive 9f win at Newmarket, a track that relies on early speed, so I have every confidence this c**t can cope with a further step back in distance.

This Frankel c**t has plenty of scope and he is probably only now giving his best performances now he has grown into his frame.

Newbury 3.45: Sahara King

Although beaten in both starts this campaign, SAHARA KING has demonstrated massive promise in both and having now had this required three starts, qualifies for this big prize. I strongly suspect the benefit of those recent experiences will come home to roost today.

A narrow and unexpected winner on debut at Wolverhampton last autumn, he was pitched into one of the most competitive novices so far this season over this course and distance last month. He kept on strongly from the rear that day to get within 1l of Derby hopeful Maltese Cross.

He surely also came from too far back at Newmarket last time in a small field, but again showed more than enough late on to suggest a current mark of 95 is fair and in a bigger field and likely stronger pace he can be seen to better effect. It would be no surprise to see him ridden a bit more handily to get involved here as well.

Newbury 4.20: Addison Grey & Desert Cop

This 6f handicap sees Mirabeau and Addison Grey renew rivalries having finished first and second here at the opening fixture last month. ADDISON GREY is a pound better off today and that, plus likely slightly faster ground leaves me to believe he can turn the tables today.

The grey has since run a fine second on Guineas day at Newmarket, beaten only by a group horse in waiting in Double Rush. Winner of three of his six starts last season, gelding has clearly been a help to him and he has only gone up 2lbs for those two fine efforts, so remains very feasibly handicapped today.

At much bigger odds a small each-way venture on DESERT COP looks in order. He has been kept busy and fit running in Bahrain all winter. When raced over 6f he put in some good efforts and although his last win came over the minimum trip, 6f is surely his optimum – his biggest success coming in the 6f race on 2000 Guineas day at Newmarket a couple of seasons ago.

Having been always outpaced over 5f on his British comeback at Nottingham, he was right in the mix at Windsor on Monday, eventually finishing third. I think a flat, fast 6f suits him ideally and there is every chance he can outrun his odds today.

Newbury 5.00: Bullet Point

Although disappointing on his comeback at Newmarket recently, BULLET POINT can be excused that effort on his first start for six months since an unsuccessful journey Down Under last season.
He should be more ready to go today and this prominent racer should enjoy this track where racing handily is a positive.

He enjoyed a stellar 2025 season, racking up four handicap wins on all sorts of going from the All Weather to soft to fast ground. The latter came on rattling fast going at York’s Ebor meeting from a mark of 100, prompting William Haggas to take the unusual step of racing him again just two days later at the same fixture in a Group 3.

Whilst that effort did not work out, he showed the regard this horse was held in. If he can bounce back to form today, his mark is still only 4lbs higher than for that last win and he can still use this race as a stepping stone back into pattern class.

Recommended bets:

1pt win – Damysus – 2.35 Newbury – 4/1 general

1pt each-way – Sahara King – 3.45 Newbury – 5/1 William Hill (1/4 odds 1st 3)

1pt win – Addison Grey – 4.20 Newbury – 7/2 general

0.5pts each-way – Desert Cop – 4.20 Newbury – 20/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)

1pt each-way – Bullet Point – 5.00 Newbury – 7/1 Boylesports, Betway (1/5 odds 1st 4)

Tony to take the prize

York selections Friday 15th May

The final day of three at the Dante meeting at York and I am looking at a competitive handicap on the featured Yorkshire Cup on the card for a couple of bets today. Helnwein (advised 12/1) and Great Acclaim (12/1) were both placed for the each-way bets in the previous column on Saturday.

York 2.55: Tony Montana

Narrowly beaten into second place in this race last season, TONY MONTANA made a promising reappearance at Newbury last month on his first start for Kevin Phillipaert de Foy and can build on that over a more suitable trip today.

His sixth in the Spring Cup at Newbury was as good an effort as could be expected over a fast mile, given this horse is really a 10f specialist. What that run will have done is put him spot on for this race today. He was only beaten a head last year by Thunder Run and the winner (on same terms here) has not looked in the same form of late.

He showed when a good second at the Curragh at the Irish Champions Weekend that he can handle a little cut and he has enough good runs at this track to suggest a big prize can come his way here. I don’t think this race quite has the depth to it of last year’s renewal

York 4.05: Rahiebb

A fascinating Yorkshire Cup with plenty of 4yo’s looking to show their credentials for future Cup tests to come. Amiloc is the obvious favourite having displayed the best form last season, but at slightly better odds I prefer the claims of Rahiebb who is generally a better traveller in his races and might therefore be a better fit for this track.

A decent second to the progressive Merchant at this meeting last season, he improved continually through the season from there, culminating in a narrow second place to Scandinavia in the St Leger, clearly a career best. He showed an abundance of stamina that day, plus the ability to handle some cut which will be useful here.

A fine third in the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot confirmed he had good speed on fast ground too and the fact he won first time out last season at Newcastle will hopefully mean he can make a big impression on his seasonal debut. He surely has the scope to improve again from three to four.


Recommended bets:

1pt each-way – Tony Montana – 2.55 York – 9/2 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)

1pt win – Rahiebb – 4.5 York – 4/1 William Hill, Betfred

Acclaim can take the plaudits

Ascot & Haydock selections Saturday 9th May

We have the best of both worlds today with two cracking hurdles race on a mixed card at Haydock and some seriously competitive racing at Ascot, including the Victoria Cup where the headline selection runs. Goblet of Fire was a winner for us in the previous column at Newmarket on Sunday (advised 5/1).

Haydock 12.45: Harbour Lake & Tranquil Sea

Two selections for the opening contest, including the winner of this race in 2025, HARBOUR LAKE.

This evergreen 10yo needs 3m on a flat track and good going and all the variables are in his favour today. He has not had a busy campaign so ought to be at his peak today and he should be able to build on a fair sixth behind Wade Out on Grand National day at Aintree.

He plugged on well enough then, but that was only his second completed start of the season having failed to get home on Cheltenham’s stiffer track. Apart from his brave success in this last year, he was also third in the 2024 renewal and it is easy to see him playing a big role once more.

It is difficult to look past TRANQUIL SEA though who absolutely hosed up at Plumpton recently in the Sussex Stayers Hurdle. The re-application of cheekpieces seemed to have a massive effect that day and as long as they work the oracle again, he can defy a 7lbs rise.

Good going is clearly a must for him too as he won well at the opening Chepstow fixture back in October and he became well handicapped by running continually through the winter on unsuitably soft going.

Haydock 1.15: Tellherthename & Helnwein

Another Skelton shorty in TELLHERTHENAME lines up for the Swinton and I cannot ignore his claims either.

This horse was competing in Grade 1 contests for Ben Pauling a couple of seasons ago, but has had little racing since. A prospective chasing career was put on hold when beaten at Carlisle in October and he clearly met with a small setback as we did not see him again until the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

He was never put into the race with a chance that day, but was only beaten 7l and I think the sharper track here, the faster ground and the benefit of extra fitness will make him very hard to beat.

At more eyecatching odds I will also be following HELNWEIN each-way. He was second for us in this race last season when he confirmed his liking for a strongly run 2m on handicap on decent going. He made a cracking start to last season when second in the Greatwood at Cheltenham.

He should really have won at Newbury in March, but got left in front two out by a faller and idled badly. Expect to see him be delivered late here, but you can ignore his last run at Plumpton as he raced too freely and prominently in first time headgear which is left off today.

Ascot 2.20: Great Acclaim & Mudbir

Very consistent in this sort of contest during 2025 GREAT ACCLAIM showed good signs of coming to hand at Haydock last time and the application of first time visors might just elevate him to success in the Victoria Cup this afternoon.

Although he has won at a mile, I think 7f is his optimum trip and he won twice in a week at Glorious Goodwood and than a Racing League contest at Chepstow last summer. Two placed efforts followed over this course and distance, the latter coming from a mark 2lbs higher than today.

He usually sports headgear, but they were left off for the Lincoln where he seriously underperformed (perhaps the extra distance and the lack of a recent run contributed). They were back on in the form of blinkers at Haydock last month, where he moved menacingly into contention a furlong out before being just outpointed by Cosi Bello. He should have reached peak fitness now and maybe the switch to visors can eke out further improvement.

It is difficult to ignore the claims of MUDBIR, another 7f specialist who remains in the early part of his career. He has won three of his six starts including a competitive handicap at Glorious Goodwood too.

You can ignore his last run at the same track and he as on the wrong side of the course, was continually denied a clear run up the rail and got out too late to make a significant challenge to the winner Darkness. He sported first time cheekpieces that day, and the headgear is retained today. The booking of Oisin Murphy can only be a positive.

Ascot 2.55: Valedictory

If ever there was a sure-fire future winner to come out of a race, it was surely VALEDICTORY who just ran out of time to catch Rathgar at Newbury recently having briefly got outpaced 3f out. I can see this horse progressing through the ranks, potentially to listed or group class by season end and this step up to 12f will help that cause.

He should conspicuous promise in two maidens at the start of his career at Doncaster and Newmarket, but he has looked a slow developer who will surely only start coming into his own now. A 5l win at Chelmsford in the autumn got him off the mark, and whilst that form does not add up to much, I strongly suspect an opening handicap mark of 84 vastly under-rates his potential.

He was put up 3lbs for that run at Newbury, but it looked like he badly needed the experience of a more competitive race in a handicap and he should put that run to good use today.

Recommended bets:

1pt each-way – Harbour Lake – 12.45 Haydock – 7/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)

1pt win – Tranquil Sea – 12.45 Haydock – 4/1 Unibet

1pt win – Tellherthename – 1.15 Haydock – 9/4 general

1pt each-way – Helnwein – 1.15 Haydock – 12/1 Bet365, Unibet (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 5)

1pt each-way – Great Acclaim – 2.20 Ascot – 12/1 William Hill (¼ odds 1st 5)

1pt each-way – Mudbir – 2.20 Ascot – 9/2 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 6)

2pts win – Valedictory – 2.55 Ascot – 5/4 general