ROYAL TO REIGN AT HAYDOCK

14:25 Haydock

The first of two live races from Haydock on ITV this Saturday sees a Class mile handicap where sadly only five now go to post.

Initially I was very keen on Sir Michael Stoute’s course and distance winner Thibaan who has now unfortunately been withdrawn.

The King Power owned Fantastic Fox now heads the betting and with good reason given the three year old’s close third in a Class 2 handicap at Ascot last time out. He’s lightly raced with plenty of improvement left however I’m going to take a chance on the older Royal Mews.

John Gosden’s four year old has only stepped foot on a racecourse three times before and on paper has plenty more to prove however the well bred runner could spring a shock in the second race on the card.

Fellow Godolphin runner Dubai Mirage has a course and distance win to his name but has already had a tough season and without a win in his last eight starts I’m happy to take him on despite winning this race last year.

ROYAL MEWS (WIN)

written by Rory Paddock