Saturday's Meetings Haydock Flat 7 Races 1:13-4:43p.m. York Flat 7 Races 1:30-5:00p.m. Chester Flat 8 Races 1:35-5:35p.m. Listowel N/H 7 Races 1:55-5:20p.m Southwell(E) A/W 7 Races 4:20-7:25p.m. Tramore(E) N/H 7 Races 5:10-8:15p.m. Stratford(E) N/H 8 Races 5:30-9:00p.m. Lingfield(E) Flat 7 Races 5:40-8:40p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
The feature race at Haydock, the John Of Gaunt Stakes (Group 3) looks like one to avoid. Old boy Kinross has a penalty and that will make it hard for him first time up. Owen Burrows’ charge Alyanaabi won first time out over course and distance and there is no reason to think that fourth that day Kikkuli will reverse that running. Former Lockinge winner Audience is the good thing on the ratings but the Gosden’s six year old ran poorly at Meydan when last seen, finishing behind Quinault, and was a beaten odds on shot when last seen at this trip. Henry Candy’s Tiger Bay was gifted a six furlong race on 2000 Guineas day at HQ when the runner up decided to go sideways. Before that there is another trappy Group 3, the Nifty 50 Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes (2.58). Bay Of Sanibel makes the trip over from Ireland but she looks a few pounds short of the required level here. Similarly handicapper Invisible Friend looks out of her depth. The lightly-raced Gosden representative Shaha could improve markedly for her Goodwood win last time out and it is hard to think why Chorus (sixth) and Our Golden One (seventh) should reverse running with her. Similarly lightly-raced Estrange arrives having won two of her three starts last year (beating Invisible Friend more than three lengths in the most recent); however, both her wins were on soft ground and that tempers enthusiasm as she was well beaten on quick ground between. Sioux Life is penalised for Group 2 wins in Italy and on her British debut was only seventh in the Middleton Stakes at York, where Godolphin’s BEAUTIFUL LOVE was (a remote) second. The issue here is that William Buick’s mount has not won on these shores since September 2023 but this definite drop in grade sees her only having to give 3lb to six of her rivals. I am sure that she will soon be on her travels overseas again. The Group 3 race at York sees seven fillies and mares line up for the Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes (3.15). Crystal Flyer won a handicap on the kitty litter last time and looks out of her depth here. Divina Grace won the John Porter on her stable debut after an enterprising front-running ride by David Probert but the same tactics did not work in the Jockey Club Stakes when a distant third of four. Her penalty is going to make it hard today with a couple of less exposed rivals. Last year’s winner Term Of Endearment was sold from the De Bromhead yard and ran seventh in the Dubai Gold Cup on her first start for the Haggas yard. This may be a better field than the one she beat last year but she is arguably the best horse in the race. The Gosden barn is doubly represented. Jane Temple has won two of her three starts on kitty litter, the most recent of which was a novice under today’s pilot. So she could prove to be much better than that bare form switched to turf. Allonsy was second in a heavy ground Listed race last term but she was only fifth on her seasonal bow in the Goodwood race where Sueno was fourth (the other Gosden runner with Ryan Moore aboard) and Scenic was second. With the winner of that Goodwood race running at Haydock, this looks a good chance for SCENIC to open her 2025 account for Saffie Osborne now that she is race fit.
On days like this (3 meetings in the north)... where the hell do they find these stalls handlers.... difficult job, but the group at Chester haven't a clue and act like they won a prize to be on the team for a day....
Have to say that I will only take half points for Scenic. Beautiful Love has done enough to earn a Timeform squiggle in three races here this term. She had every chance in the Dahlia Stakes on Guineas weekend but turned her head away from the action and today when at the challenging end of the race she flashed her tail. In between she was routed by 12 lengths second at York having never been close enough to challenge. She will probably go back to the States now and win some $200k Invitational stakes when no-one is looking and a couple of turf Grade 1s against poor local rivals.
