Haydock Saturday Preview - 06/07/2019

Mark Johnston won this race last year with Making Miracles and he arrives with a four-pronged attack in the shape of Summer Moon, Themaxwecan, Mindthecrack & Sir Ron Priestley.

Given the yards' excellent record in these staying races all four have to be feared but SIR RON PRIESTLEY is the one that makes the most appeal. A line can be put through his Royal Ascot performance as Atzeni attempted to set a fierce pace that day and he should resume progress here.

The fact he holds a Group2 entry shows connections think a lot of him and Franny Norton, who can't do much wrong around Haydock, is in the saddle.

The master that is John Gosden likes to target the Lancashire Oaks, being successful in the race four of the previous eight renewals and his £500,000 purchase ENBIHAAR looks the one to focus on.

She got the better of Klassique at Goodwood in May before proving a non-stayer up in trip and she could prove hard to peg back under prominent tactics.

Now for the Old Newton Cup. Traditionally a tricky handicap to solve, this year's renewal looks a cracker and at the top of the betting we have a potential pattern class horse in FIRST ELEVEN.

This 4-y-o Frankel Colt has proved frustrating at times but excuses can be made for both his failures in Group races and he looks capable of defying top weight in this Class 2 event.

At a much bigger price, Mick Channon's KOEMAN looks to improve on his seventh-place finish in this race last year. The form of his Newmarket second this season suggests he has progressed and the yard were successful in this race in 2011.

Both John Quinn & Danny Tudhope are having magnificent seasons and KEEP BUSY, a well-bred daughter of Night Of Thunder, looks to have a huge chance of notching up her second career victory.

She finished strongly when breaking her maiden tag at Carlisle and the front four were well clear that day.

The lack of a pace option in this race could make it tricky for hold-up performer Danzeno and SUMMERGHAND, who would have to give him 3lb if this was a handicap, looks to hold every chance under the in-form Danny Tudhope.

He has a 50% strike rate over C&D and handles conditions.

No Bet

Richard Hannon's Beat Le Bon finally put it all together at Goodwood and we fancy him to maintain unbeaten under Pat Dobbs. 7f on good ground looks his ideal scenario and he should manage a 7lb penalty, though Mutaraffa, who has done little wrong thus far for Charles Hills has to be respected.