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15:45 Haydock
A five furlong sprint to begin proceedings and it is the Richard Hughes trained Kimngrace who is taken to come out on top. The three-year-old filly is a prior course winner having grasped victory over six furlongs on last run of 2021 and also acquitted herself well when racing over the minimum trip, going down by just a head here at Haydock in June. The form of that race has worked out well with both the winner and third winning next time out and the booking of 5lbs claimer Deon Le Roux gives her a great chance at the weights.
The most likely to challenge is a prior course and distance winner Silky Wilkie who is holding his form extremely well, posting results of 12212 from his last five runs. He was beaten by two lengths last time out and has gone up 2lbs for that effort, although is another partnered with a 5lbs claimer for this race and as such should be able to get competitive.
A mention must also go to Fast Response who could be considered an unlucky loser last time out having found herself short of room at a crucial stage of the race. She has winning form on good, good-to-soft and soft ground and looks the best of the rest.
KIMNGRACE (WIN)
written by Dean Kilbryde
16:15 Haydock
The Sunday Series is a great addition to British Racing and this Newcomer's maiden is the second race on this twilight card. The market will be very revealing like many races of this nature, but going by pedigrees alone Nahwand should be an above average colt. He is full brother to 4-time winner Star Fire and a half to 7 other winners including the Coventry winner of 2017 Rajasinghe. Kevin Ryan’s colt is certainly one to keep an eye on, as is Charyn for Roger Varian who himself is out of black type performing mare Futoon. His only sibling to run has won the Mill Reef so he deserves the upmost respect.
I will side with late foaled chestnut colt of Karl Burke’s Road To The East, half-brother to 4-time winner Yousini. Karl’s horses at Haydock this season have been a good angle to follow at Haydock with a strike-rate of 24% and a profit of £26.17 to a £1 stake. Clifford Lee is also on board and he is 20% this season at Haydock, those factors make him the one for me.
ROAD TO THE EAST (WIN)
written by Michael Taylor
16:45 Haydock
With seventeen runners set to go to post it's safe to say this is one of the most competitive races on the entire card and as such it's a wiser step for punters to go on the hunt for some each way value.
Although the more well fancied Rambuso Creek and Good Earth shouldn't be far away and it's difficult to put anyone off either, I'm going to plump for two at much bigger, double figure odds.
The first is a former course and distance winner who claimed a similar race at this venue this time last year. The David O'Meara trained Cold Stare is now on a very attractive mark and holds a decent course record. Although he relishes underfoot conditions it wont be a major inconvenience on this ground and I'll take a chance that he finishes in the money.
My other alternative looks an interesting proposition now that he returns to Class 4 company. The last time Toussarok ran in this grade he produced a dominant display and with just 1lb above his last winning rating he shouldn't be far away.
COLD STARE (E/W)
TOUSSAROK (E/W)
written by Rory Paddock
17:15 Haydock
Top weight Anythingtoday isn't the most prolific but as such now enters the equation due to his lower rating. With all six of his handicap wins coming off higher marks he's weighted to go well. He showed he still maintains plenty of ability having claimed the runners up spot at Windsor three starts back. With top amateur Jonny Peate booked for the ride the eight year old has even less weight to carry thanks to the riders 5lb weight allowance.
If his recent gelding operation has brought about any improvement today may well be the day we see American Flag enter the winners enclosure and shake off his maiden tag in the process. Ed Walker's lightly raced three year old looks an attractive proposition on handicap debut and should take all the beating.
Of the rest Award Dancer is aiming to claim back to back victories and the ultra-consistent course and distance winner Miramichi should have enough to make the frame.
AMERICAN FLAG (WIN)
ANYTHINGTODAY (E/W)
written by Rory Paddock
17:45 Haydock
A highly competitive 0-85 Nursery with over 15k to the winner, Urban Sprawl will not be far away for the Johnston’s and Ben Curtis. With one win from five starts he is one of the most experienced in this field, although he could prove to be vulnerable to any well-handicapped rivals. Indian Dream got off the mark in impressive style in a novice last time out at Epsom but I would have ground concerns for him and also doubts around his mark of 82.
Have Secret comes here on the back of a good second last Sunday and has on the back of that he would appear to be well in off a mark of just 71. That day at Chester he was slow away before coming home with a wet sail and this more galloping track should really play to his strengths, especially if he breaks sharper. I really think he will take a lot of beating tonight with being so well in and the conditions in his favour.
HAVE SECRET (WIN) written by Michael Taylor 18:15 Haydock
Tarrabb tops the market for the upwardly mobile Owen Burrows team. The daughter of Exceed And Excel was well supported to make it two wins from four starts at Ascot last month. A four-pound hike for that victory seems lenient and given that she’s open to much more progress than most, she’s difficult to oppose. The thrice raced Valley Mist makes her handicap debut off a mark of 83 which looks workable. The Dubawi filly is very unexposed but those runs came at lesser tracks and she needs to improve.
Rose Barton got her head in front at the sixth attempt at Windsor when last seen. The manner of that victory suggests there is more to come from her and a four-pound hike seems fair. Ed Walker’s team are under a slight cloud, operating at an 8% strike rate but he holds strong claims here with Canoodled. She’s four pounds better off with Tarrabb for a two-length defeat and back to her last winning mark, so she should be involved.
CANOODLED (E/W)
written by Peter Keogh
18:45 Haydock
The shrewd Charles Byrnes sends hot favourite Run For Oscar over for this valuable staying handicap and holds obvious claims. The five-time winner under all codes ran with credit on the level at the Curragh finishing just under six lengths behind Maze Runner, who franked the form at Galway. He’s the one to beat but worth opposing at those odds. Arctic Fox comes here chasing a hat-trick following a brace of victories at Haydock. The manner of the last of these wins suggests the extra distance shouldn’t be an issue and he obviously likes it around here which brings him into the reckoning.
The well-bred Frankenstella was a £480,000 yearling and is a very likeable sort but I think she’ll struggle ever to repay her connections. She’s already a four-time winner but she’s been well held on her past two starts and others look more persuasive.
Malakahna is the most interesting horse in the field, Ian Williams inmate has only been out of the places twice over hurdles both of which were in listed company. The four-time winner was never involved on her first flat start on the back of a slight break and over an inadequate trip. She’ll improve for that run and the big step up in distance will bring further improvement.
MALAKAHNA (E/W)
written by Peter Keogh