Horseracing Selections - Haydock, 22 July 2006
Haydock, 22 July 2006
6:40 Haydock Park Pony Club Nursery Handicap
Stolt gets a narrow vote over the likes of Baileys Hilight, My Valerina and Inflight. It often pays to follow the topweights in nurseries at this time of the year, as past results reveal, and with that in mind we fancy Stolt to get back to winning ways. The Noel Wilson inmate made a winning debut at Musselburgh in April, and since then has taken on good company, including when a close ninth in the Windsor Castle stakes at Royal Ascot. Subsequently third when drawn five of five at Chester three weeks ago, he has the class to give weight away all round. Mark Johnston's juveniles are in terrific form at present, so Baileys Hilight has to be on the short-list as well, although the suspicion is that he will be better served by an extra furlong. My Valerina has been very consistent and indeed was third in a Hamilton nursery but is looking fairly exposed, while Inflight hails from a yard that had a nursery winner on Thursday. All in all it is likely to be a close contest, but Stolt gets our vote.
7:10 Racinguk.tv E.b.f. Maiden Stakes
Celtic Sultan can make experience count over some interesting newcomers such as Naughty Thoughts and Fishforcompliments. Celtic Sultan made a very promising debut here a fortnight ago when staying on from the rear to get within half-a-length of the winner El Bosque, and although in time another furlong would not come amiss, Tom Tate's youngster can put the experience to good use today. The market will reveal which of the debutantes is best fancied, but there have been encouraging reports concerning Naughty Thoughts, a half-sister to Blue Bajan and entered in a big sales race at Ascot this autumn. Luca Cumani's inmates normally need a run, but it would be no surprise if Sherjawy were to go close either. The son of Diktat will no doubt be stepped up in trip sooner rather than later and may be one to follow. However on this occasion, Tom Tate's trip across the Pennines should reap dividends with Celtic Sultan.
7:40 Browns Mitsubishi Handicap
Libor, Savernake Blue and Rochdale are the three to consider here and preference is for Libor. After a win at Newmarket in May Rochdale has been raised in class and although running another solid race at Newmarket has generally been found wanting. Savernake Blue also scored at Newmarket, a little more recently, but after rearing at the start at Windsor next time, struggled to make an impact. Given a better start here he can play a leading role. Libor has the profile of a typical Luca Cumani horse, showing gradual improvement with each run, culminating in a win at Bath on his handicap debut. He looks progressive and well treated, and should be followed until beaten. Libor gets the vote.
8:10 Security Guard Company Uk Ltd Handicap
Mandatum, Let It Be and Compton Eclaire are the three that catch the eye here and preference is for Mandatum, who is a proven performer and has a high level of form. Let It Be scored in game fashion at Redcar and was then fourth to the enigmatic but useful Whispering Death at Thirsk. The winner ran a solid race in defeat at Warwick next time and Let It Be cannot be discounted. Compton Eclaire was only a short head behind Let It Be at Redcar and has since run a decent race in defeat at Warwick, finishing fourth behind Raslan. He is a solid stayer, but may not be suited by this sharp track. After a promising re-appearance at Lingfield, Mandatum was disappointing next time, fading in the closing stages, although not beaten all that far in fifth on a return visit to the track. He is only five pounds higher though than when scoring at Salisbury last season and a chance is taken that Mandatum can put his Lingfield defeat behind him.
8:40 Abacus Securities Handicap
Silverhay is taken to follow up a solid Pontefract win last time at the main expense of Mr Aitch and Daring Affair. Karl Burke has his string in fine form and his mare Daring Affair was having only her second outing of the season when finishing fast to take second over this course and distance last time. She races here off a mark only two pounds higher than when scoring at Doncaster at the end of last season and has a leading chance with those two runs under her belt. Mr Aitch doubled his winning tally when scoring at Leicester recently but it didn�t look a great contest and the handicapper thought likewise, only raising him three pounds and he may have to settle for a place here. After solid placed efforts at Beverley and Leicester, Silverhay won in game fashion in a big field at Pontefract last time. That was a competitive affair, and although carrying top weight, Silverhay is taken to win again.
9:10 Bingley Handicap
Pitbull, Just Lille and Cape Of Storms are the thre that catch the eye in this interesting finale, and Pitbull can come out on top. Just Lille had shown little in three previous runs before scoring on her handicap debut at Ayr last time. That was not an unexpected success as she was supported, but may find she has too much weight here, carrying a six pound penalty. Cape Of Storms� form figures do not look too encouraging but his last two efforts have been encouraging, following a good third at Hamilton with a respectable effort in a Carlisle handicap which is working out. Pitbull finished just behind Cape Of Storms in that contest but left the form behind when just run out of it close home at Chester, behind the gambled on Glenmuir. Pitbull can prove too tenacious for his rivals here.
