Haydock Saturday Preview - 07/08/21

The first selection of the day at Haydock on Saturday is the Class 4 Handicap over a mile and the horse that has took our eye is the Ed Dunlop trained Arthur's Realm.

The three year old has been in fine form this season, needing the run on his first and second, but since since has really thrived especially on soft ground.

Two starts ago in May he was seen winning a seven runner event at Ripon on soft, just seeing out Broomy Law with the pair going away from the field in the closing stages.

He was last seen stepped up to 9f at Carlisle on quicker ground finishing a tight second and only up 1lb from that makes him a player.

Hollie Doyle in the saddle.

Next up sees a very smart event over a mile with a classy field going to post for a Class 3 Handicap and we are giving another chance to Fantastic Fox.

The son of Frankel was highly touted for his run at Ascot last time out but failed to really finish off his race still finishing a good third.

Before that he was weak at Royal Ascot over 10f, but did land a good event at Hamilton by close to eight lengths, with the second winning next time out.

There is big potential with this horse but now he needs to fulfil it.

One of the feature events of the day is the Listed Dick Hern Stakes over a mile and we can't look past the favourite Potapova for Sir Michael Stoute.

The filly was first seen in November when winning well at Chelmsford on debut over seven furlongs by close to seven lengths.

She then backed that up on seasonal debut this term in a Novice Stakes at Redcar when bolting up by eight lengths, looking like a group horse in the making.

The three year old was then stepped into Group One company at Royal Ascot for the Coronation Stakes over a mile and with a combination of heavy ground and top class fillies against her she only beat two home.

However, this Cheveley Park owned star is now back down in class to Listed company and if half the horse we think she is, she should go close.

The feature event of the day is the Group Three Lancaster Stakes and at the prices Fox Tales for the inform Andrew Balding looks appealing.

The 400,000gns son of Zoffany will be praying for the rain to fall on Saturday with his best efforts coming with cut in the ground.

Having been smart on both his starts as a juvenile, he made his seasonal debut this term at Chester over 10.5f in the Listed Dee Stakes where he ran in behind some very smart horses, maybe needing the run first time out.

He came on a bunch for that run at Royal Ascot to land the Golden Gates Handicap over 1m2f, seeing off some decent runners in style.

Back on quick ground last time out at the July meeting he was a head second to Dubai Honour in another smart event and although stepping up in class he deserves his chance.

Smart prospect for a thriving yard.

The penultimate contest of the afternoon on Merseyside is is the Class 5 Handicap over five furlongs and seeking a five timer Acquisitor looks to have a big chance.

The three year old for Philip Kirby has gone from strength to strength of late on quick on soft ground, landing seven furlong events at Catterick and Chester.

Last time out when stepped up to a Class 4 off a mark of 65, which is 10lb higher than her first winning march, she narrowly won on soft ground.

only up 2lb for this event makes him a player once more and if staying on this upward curve he could be dangerous.

The final event of the afternoon is the Class 3 Handicap over seven furlongs and to finish the day we are siding with the Charles Hills trained II Bandito.

The three year old has been seen five times this season, finishing a good third at Epsom on Seasonal debut and off the back off that got off the mark for the season over course and distance at Haydock.

Since then he has been seen finishing second three times, once back over C&D and the other times at Sandown and Newmarket on good and soft ground.

He is a very consistent type that likes it here especially if it rains.