Haydock Saturday Preview - 05/09/20

The first race of the day sees the Listed Ascendant Stakes over a mile and with some smart juveniles going to post, Richard Hannon seems to have the strongest of challenges.

He has two potential superstars running in the event and the one we think will do the best is Fancy Man who gets the mount of Ryan Moore.

The colt has been seen twice so far in his career, winning well on debut after being green to start with and then last time out finishing second in a Listed event at Salisbury.

He looks highly progressive and having experience in this company before makes him one for the shortlist.

The Group Three Superior Mile sees some old rivalries from this season reignite and with a strong field of eight it looks to be a great spectacle

Khaloosy for Roger Varian will have to be at his best in this field taking on the impressive My Oberon and James Tate trained Top Rank.

However, the manner in how the Hamdan Al Maktoum owned runner landed the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot was eye-catching and although fluffing his lines last time out he deserves another shot.

The race at Goodwood came on ground that was far to quick for him, now getting his ideal soft conditions there can be no excuses and he must reverse the form with the Haggas horse to go close.

The marathon handicaps at these big meetings seem to feature some very smart runners and Midrarr for William Haggas is a filly going in the right direction.

Having made her debut this season at Goodwood over a mile it was evident that she needed a step up in trip and she got that at Newbury when finishing a bold third of 14, almost making all over 1m2f.

The three year old stepped up again to 1m4f at Chester last time out and revelled in the sticky conditions and extra distance and going up again on Saturday should bring more improvement.

Inform Hollie Doyle takes the ride.

The Old Borough Cup as ever sees a huge field head to post over 1 mile 6 furlongs and a consistent performer is what you need in these races and we believe we have found one.

Rajinsky for Tom Dascombe and Haydock specialist Richard Kingscote looks one of the more likelier types to land this race having finished second on all of his last three starts.

Th four year old is a proven stayer placing in Ascot, Newbury and York Handicaps and having only gone up 2lb for his latest outing on the knavesmire, he has to be in the mix once more.

The feature race of the day at Haydock is the Group One Sprint Cup and we can't look anywhere else than last year's winner Hello Youmzain making it two on the bounce.

The Kevin Ryan trained sprinter has been a shining light for the yard landing the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot this year and also taking this same race last season.

Although only finishing fifth of 12 in the July Cup at Newmarket he bounced back to for last time out when finishing a bold second behind Space Blues in the Prix Maurice De Gheest.

Hello Youmzain has been known as a strong traveller in his races and if getting a clear passage on soft ground, he has to be respected.

The penultimate race of the day sees a hotly contested five furlong Class 2 Handicap and at a nice price Jabbarockie for Eric Alston can run a big race.

The seven year old, granted, is not getting any younger but this season has shown he still has bundles of quality when winning and placing in similar events.

He is a course and distance winner on soft ground and now only 1lb higher than his last winning mark he looks lovely each way value.

The final race of the meeting at Haydock is the Class 4 Handicap over a mile and when you a jumps trainer like Jonjo O'Neill have a runner in these types of races on the flat you have to take notice.

Imperial Command this season has shown that a mile on soft ground is his forte, having landed a decent event over course and distance on his second start of the season.

He finished fourth of 10 runners at Glorious Goodwood when dropped to seven furlongs and now back up in trip at the track of his only win, he looks the one to beat.