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13:45 Haydock
LORD GLITTERS has been tearing it up over in Dubai this year which included both a Group 1 and Group 2 success at Meydan. Yet to win in three starts on his return to British soil but that looks all set to change for the veteran who, despite making his 40th career start, has never stepped foot on to Haydock’s course. If the eight year old handles the conditions and in this smaller field he should take all the beating.
Of the remainder I actually find one of the outsiders Bell Rock has the potential to finish best of the rest.
LORD GLITTERS (WIN)
14:05 Kempton - (#4FORASCORE - Leg 1)
A 5th in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes is perhaps the best bit of form on offer but Nymphadora has won just one of her five career starts of the remaining four has never even placed. Undoubtedly she deserves her spot in this lineup but looks easy to take on.
In regards to the form book perhaps WINGS OF WAR’s third in the Goffs Yearling Stakes at York looks very impressive as the one who finished the best drawn closest to the near side rail. The strength in depth of that 20 runner affair looks encouraging and he wouldn’t have to improve much, if at all, to take a major hand in this one.
The unbeaten Hierarchy is also worth a mention who will need to improve on what he’s done so far but with Oisin Murphy booked for the ride that wouldn’t be out of the question.
WINGS OF WAR (WIN)
14:20 Haydock
The second of four ITV races here in the North West sees a very open looking three year old handicap over 14 furlongs.
Valley Forge is set to go off the likely favourite after producing a battling display when winning at York last time out. It’s hard to take anything from Andrew Balding’s runner but will this additional weight be too big a task. He looks the most likely winner however at bigger odds I’m hoping PRAIANO can overturn the form with Oceanline and finish in the frame. Roger Varian’s charge was a tad unlucky in his last outing and should have conditions to suit.
PRAIANO (E/W)
14:40 Kempton
HUKUM aims to make it three wins on the spin and four in his last five here in the September Stakes. One of only two former course winners in the lineup it’s hard to bet against Owen Burrows runner who seems to be improving with each run this term.
Hamish is the likeliest to provide a test for the favourite but with a mammoth 442 days on the sidelines William Haggas’ runner has plenty of questions to answer upon return.
HUKUM (WIN)
14:55 Haydock - (#4FORASCORE - Leg 2)
The Godolphin owned Global Storm was on a very consistent run of form until disappointing in the Ebor at York last time out. Sure to fair much better this time around but I’d rather look for a horse that provides some each way value and hopefully that comes in the form of HOCHFELD. Mark Johnston’s charge produced a poor performance at Newmarket last month however prior to that went well at both York and Chester earlier in the year as well as claiming second spot in the Northumberland Plate. Close to his last winning mark and carrying less weight than he did in the aforementioned Newcastle showpiece I’ll take a chance on this seven year old to go close.
HOCHFELD (E/W)
15:10 Ascot
The form of CANDLEFORD’s victory at Windsor pails into insignificance compared to some of the main protagonists here however the form of that effort has been franked with the 2nd claiming a subsequent success. Although he won he did find a few problems in running however I’m under no illusion that William Haggas’ runner will be good enough without showing improvement. If this lightly raced three year old can show marked progress I’m happy to take him as an each way alternative to the market principles most noticeably Wahraan who holds a very strong claim.
CANDLEFORD (E/W)
15:30 Haydock - (#4FORASCORE - Leg 3)
If the bookies are anything to go by then odds on shot STARMAN looks hard to beat. The four year old has been handled with care having only raced three times this term and that could be a very telling factor up against sprinters who’ve had a very busy campaign. Creative Force has done very little wrong all season and has the potential to cause an upset and if the Clive Cox trained Supremacy can show a repeat of his two year old form he may pose a threat. That being said it looks the favourites to loose.
STARMAN (WIN)
15:45 Ascot - (#4FORASCORE - Leg 4)
The eighth and final race on ITV sees eleven set to go to post of which we have a quintet (5) former course winners set to enter the stalls. Last years race winner Documenting returns to retain his crown and looks to follow up off the same mark. Far from a shock would it be to see him win here once again however fellow course and distance winner CLIFFS OF CAPRI gets my vote. The seven year old has a solid record here at Ascot and is close to his last winning mark. With conditions, weight and course all to his liking it looks as if we’ll see Jamie Osbourne’s go well and I urge punters if you can get an each way price to snap it up fast.
CLIFFS OF CAPRI (E/W)
written by Rory Paddock
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