Racing
Haydock Place 6 preview | 8th July
13.30 – Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap – 5f
SPIRIT OF APPLAUSE is a course winner, who ran a lot better than his finishing position indicated when ninth of 21 at York, where he didn’t get a smooth passage before keeping on well to be nearest the finish. From a pound lower mark eased in grade, he’s a serious player. I’ll also recommend SQUEALER, who’s a two-time winner over this distance and was unfortunate to not go close last time. From a couple of pounds lower mark, he’s surely a contender.
Tips: Spirit Of Applause, Squealer
14.05 – bet365 Handicap – 1m6f
A competitive race but TORRE DEL ORO could represent some value, who is open to improvement now tackling this longer distance and was impressive two starts back at Wolverhampton, where stamina undeniably looked his forte. He’s been given a bit of a break since his lesser effort at York and retains potential from a handy mark. The hat-trick seeking PLEDGEOFALLEGIANCE also is included, who’s unbeaten in two starts on the turf and has more to offer as a stayer.
Tips: Torre Del Oro, Pledgeofallegiance
14.40 – bet365 Lancashire Oaks (Fillies’ And Mares’ Group 2) – 1m3f
POPTRONIC is a very good filly, who’s a Group 3 winner and has only been out of the places once in her career so far. She’s been right on the premises in Group 2 and Group 3 events the last three times and should have more to offer. I really like her chances but I’ll also cover Group 1 winner ARISTIA, who should leave her reappearance run behind her and get back on track.
Tips: Poptronic, Aristia
15.15 – bet365 Old Newton Cup Handicap – 1m3f
GAASSEE is technically five pounds lower than when a luckless third in this race last year when you take his jockey’s claim into account and has been aimed at the race again since. ONESMOOTHOPERATOR has shaped very well in his last two runs, including over course-and-distance last time when fourth. He was a close-up third over this distance in the Shergar Cup Challenge last summer off a mark of 95 and is three pounds lower here.
Tips: Gaassee, Onesmoothoperator
15.50 – bet365 Nursery – 6f
MAYO NEIGHS beat a very good yardstick on debut at Bath when beating Mashadi and ran a lovely race when ninth of 23 in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot. He was outpaced before staying on again in the latter stages and finished second in his side of the group as there was only one other horse who did well from the low numbers. On that evidence, Ralph Beckett’s charge is going to be even better over this longer trip and is one of my best bets on the card.
Tips: Mayo Neighs
16.25 – Price Promise At bet365 Handicap – 7f
MOUNT ATHOS won three on the spin before a good second to Spycatcher, who’s boosted the form nicely since. He was only fifth behind Tiber Flow last time but better was expected and he’s fancied to resume his progress. ABDUCTION has remained in good form since winning twice in September and did well from a poor draw at Pontefract when fifth. The handicapper has dropped him a pound and while he’s still six pounds above his last success, he could still be competitive.
Tips: Mount Athos, Abduction
