PADDOCKS PATENT (THURSDAY)

15:30 Haydock Marbooh makes his debut for David O’Meara this afternoon and despite the stable also running Dutch Artist, it looks significant that Danny Tudhope chooses to ride the newcomer. His last run at Newmarket was a shade disappointing but that was his toughest race to date and the slight ease in grade ought to show him in a much better light. He tries his luck against several more exposed handicappers and connections will be hopeful of a decent run. Zwayyan is a lightly raced three year old and finally got off the mark at the third attempt last time. William Haggas clearly thinks he is capable of further improvement and throws him in at the deep end here against a lot of experienced rivals. Frankie Dettori takes the reins on the Al Shaqab runner and he looks to be the main threat. There wasn’t much between Dutch Artist and Hanseatic at Thirsk last time and that will probably prove to be the case once again today. They looks set to battle it out for minor honours here. David O’Meara is in cracking form at the minute. Four of his last six runners have won and the change of scenery for Marbooh could well squeeze a little more improvement from him. Marbooh (E/W if 9/2+)

16:00 Haydock Dark Emerald takes a noteable drop in grade this afternoon to try and make up for his narrow defeat in this race last year. Beaten a short head by Richard Pankhurst when trying to give him eleven pounds was no mean feat but this time around his rivals have more question marks hanging over them and he has to be of obvious interest. Having enjoyed a successful winter period in Dubai he looks to have carried his form through and he is respected. Muwaary did well to be placed behind Mutakayeff on what was his seasonal reappearance. He was then expected to go very well next time out at Newmarket but the incessant rain diminished his chances and he struggled to get home. A return to better ground will certainly help the Gosden runner and he looks the chief opposition.  Forge is likely to prove popular given that he is trained by Sir Michael Stoute but in reality he cut no ice against older rivals last time and that could well be the case against today. Dark Emerald just needs to repeat his last time our effort in order to go very close here. Officially he is the best horse in the race and Graham Lee is likely to give him every assistance from the saddle. Dark Emerald (E/W if 9/2+)

16:30 Haydock  Gabrial’s King is now back down to his last winning mark and ran well here two starts ago when chasing home I Am Not Here. He was far from disgraced at York last time when upped in grade beaten only three lengths by Barsanti. Graham Lee takes over in the saddle for the first time this afternoon and it wouldn’t be the biggest of surprises if he were to conjure some improvement from Richard Fahey’s charge. Stars Over The Sea just beat the selection in that Barsanti race at York last time and has been in decent form this term. The last two times he has raced in this grade he has won so he has to rate as a major player today. The Middleham team continue to fire in the winners and the top weight is likely to make his presence known. Ruwasi had looked progressive up until his latest effort. He prefers smaller fields than this and he may have to settle for a place at best this afternoon. Godolphin are having a lean spell at present so Important Message cannot be a confident selection for anyone today. Richard Fahey’s yard continue to run well and stamina proven over much further than this. The stable won this race two seasons ago with Latenightrequest and they can go close to winning it again this afternoon. Gabrial’s King (E/W if 9/2+)

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