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15:35 Haydock – John Of Gaunt Stakes We finish today’s mamoth nine race compendium of action on ITV this afternoon with a Group 3 contest over seven furlongs. Former winners include the likes of Main Aim who won the race twice as well as the well loved Pastoral Player who claimed the prize back in 2011. Powerhouse owners Godolphin have owned the winner of the race two out of the past two years however don’t have a reprasentative this time around. Never the less I still feel it’ll be won by a Dubai based owner in the form of Hamdan Al Maktoum. The wealthy owner will see jockey Jim Crowley adorned in his infamous blue and white colours as he climbs aboard Mankib. The William Haggas trained runner finished second behind today’s likely favourite Safe Voyage. The John Quinn runner deserves his spot as favourite but the tables can certainly be reversed here. Mankib only lost by just over a length but was giving weight away that day and was making his seasonal reappearance. With the cobwebs well and truly dusted after his latest outing and now racing off level weights it’s hard to see past the exciting five year old. Stolwarts Breton Rock and Suedois deserve a whole heap of respect and if either returned to anything like their best they’d be hard to beat. With the rain set to continue to fall Breton Rock will have conditions to suit and although he’s at the latter stages of his career (now nine years old) he could be a decent bet for punters looking for each way value however I just feel he’s open to younger legs. Another runner that is bound to love the underfoot conditions is Snazzy Jazzy who makes his seasonal return. Fantastic form as a two year old and won a Group 3 in France when last seen he certainly has the ability to feature prominently in a race of this ilk. The Ayr Silve Cup winner has a touch of class and may look over priced at double figure odds. The downside however is that he’s never won on returning to action and he may well need this run. If however he’s fit, firing and ready to go I couldn’t see him outside of the top three. Sir Dancealot has competed at a higher level than this but hasn’t finished better than 5th in his last five runs. He’s competed in Group 1 company on all of those five appearances and a drop back to Group 3 level is definitely going to be of benefit. TThe last time the five year old competed in a Group 3 race he produced a resounding win but the likely soft ground is a major concern and may well be enough to put pay to his chances. MANKIB (WIN)
ITV Racing: 13:25 Beverley – Qaysar (E/W) 13:45 Haydock – Alhaazm (WIN) 14:00 Beverley – Execlusive (WIN) 14:10 Newmarket – Flashcard (E/W) 14:25 Haydock – Pilaster (E/W) 14:45 Newmarket – Spirit Ridge (E/W) 15:00 Haydock – Tarboosh (WIN) 15:15 Beverley – Oh Purple Reign (WIN)
The Cambridge News – PicksfromthePaddock.co.uk:
15:35 Haydock – MANKIB (WIN)
The Jersey Evening Post – Rory Paddock:
21:00 Chepstow – EDGED OUT (WIN)
East Anglian Daily Times – Dean Kilbryde:15:35 Haydock – SAFE VOYAGE (WIN) – NAP
Norwich Evening News – Chris Connolly: 16:10 Haydock – CONFESSIONAL (WIN)
Ipswich Star – Matt Polley:16:45 Haydock – PENDLETON (WIN)