Pick 7: Man On The Spot selections
Resident tipster Man On The Spot runs the rule over the Sandown and Haydock races that make up Saturday's Pick 7 game.
1405 Haydock - bet365 Handicap
An excellent turnout for a race crammed with progressive young stayers in which HUMBLE HERO may prove good enough. His yard have enjoyed a stream of winners this term and the High Chaparral colt, an easy winner of a Doncaster maiden latest, continues to suggest that this step-up in trip will prove ideal. He inhabits a feasible mark for his handicap bow and has scope for considerable improvement after just three starts. Zenon boasts similar credentials and is respected for his top class yard whilst Mister Manduro and recent dual winner, Dominating, afford Mark Johnston a strong double claim. Cribbs Causeway is improving at a rate of knots and cannot be ruled out upped in class, whilst Mistress Quickly and Look My Way are others of interest.
1425 Sandown - Coral Challenge
Narrowly beaten in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot on his first start since October, BLAIR HOUSE should make another bold bid and confirm running with Gm Hopkins, Master The World, Hors De Combat and George William. Greenside continued his good progress with a course and distance success and has the beating of Glory Awaits and Sir Roderic on that form while Secret Art is just 3lb higher than when winning this last year and has already scored at Windsor this season. Naval Warfare was upped 11lb for winning his handicap debut at Leicester and faces a stiffer task but Ryan Moore partners El Hayem today and much better is expected from him back on good ground.
1440 Haydock - bet365 Lancashire Oaks
ABINGDON not only sets a strong standard but also confirmed her wellbeing with a 10-length demolition of Listed rivals on her return to action at Pontefract. Richard Kingscote comes in for a plum ride on a track where he has proved exceptionally effective on a filly expected to progress again this term. Dubka, a stable mate of the selection, was second here in the Pinnacle Stakes last time and holds Ajman Princess, third that day, on said form but conditions are very different this time around and it would not surprise to see placings reversed. John Gosden, always to be feared in such contests, has a fine group of fillies to go to war with this term but there is a doubt about the otherwise very useful The Black Princess on this ground whilst Hertford Dancer maintained her progression last time when a solid third in Royal Ascot's Ribblesdale Stakes. l
PACO’S ANGEL has obvious claims given she was placed in the Sandringham at Ascot last time when finishing ahead of the re-opposing Queen of Time, Dancing Breeze and Tisbutadream. Richard Hughes filly is better off with a couple of those on today’s terms and should go close again. Winning handicappers Pavillon, Soul Silver and Tai Hang Dragon have a difficult task at the weights as does Standing Rock. But John Gosden could have found his Newbury maiden winner a much easier opportunity than this so a big improvement is expected with Ryan Moore booked to ride.
1515 Haydock - bet365 Old Newton Cup Handicap
Always a highlight of the Haydock season and competitive as ever. Soldier In Action was well beaten at Royal Ascot but his yard is renowned for getting inmates to bounce back quickly and the booking of Kingscote does catch the eye. The gelding previously impressed at Epsom and is shortlisted along with the ultra-reliable Saigon City. Moonmeister must be taken into account as a Tony Martin raider off a decent mark, whilst Brorocco is another to the foot of the weights expected to contend. He is the archetypal hold-up merchant though and David Probert will need to find the right gaps at the right time but the move to this trip should definitely suit. Baydar seems to have lost his way this term but would be of interest if returning to his best but Mick Appleby's BIG COUNTRY landed a decent York handicap last time and has always appealed as the sort to notch a major handicap success such as this. He still operates off a fair mark and gets the vote. Shraaoh has to be taken into account too but does not offer too much in the way of value.
The Derby form worked out well in last week’s Irish Derby and is put further to the test here with Epsom runner-up CLIFFS OF MOHER and fourth-placed Eminent taking their chance. The former looked all over the winner a furlong out on the Downs and with further progress likely from the progressive Ballydoyle colt, he can confirm running with Eminent. The latter is not out of this while Barney Roy won the St James’s Palace Stakes in good style at Ascot though the odds-on Churchill failed to run his race and there are doubts concerning stamina. The same comment also applies to Lightning Spear but no such doubts surround Decorated Knight and Ulysses, who filled the places behind a brilliant Highland Reel over today’s trip in the Prince Of Wales’s at Ascot and both should be in contention today on that form.
1625 Haydock - bet365.com Handicap
This looks hard with a number of in-form sprinters clashing but MESHARDAL ran well at Newmarket behind the massive improver that is Goodwood Crusader, prior to which he'd landed a quick hat-trick. He's been left on the same mark, handles conditions and nearly always seems to run his race. The Armed Man is another in flying form and is now a stone higher than when scoring the first of three recent victories at Thirsk in May. He gets on exceptionally well with his 7lb apprentice and another bold effort is expected. Benjamin Thomas and Summerghand are respected on handicap bows, with Full Intention, Round The Island and Sword Exceed adding further spice to an already bubbling mix.