13:50
Sea Youmzain
The first race of the day is the Read Luke Morris blog at Unibet Handicap, a class 2 Handicap over 1 mile and 6 furlongs, and the selection is Sea Youmzain. This filly out of Sea The Stars has enjoyed a successful summer having gone up 10lbs in the weights. She won last time out at Catterick where she stayed on well to beat Tim Easterby trained Stormin Tom - who has since bolted up at Ripon. She has already won at Haydock this season, and despite the step up in class, she has an outside chance of making it winner number four of the season.
2:25
Regal Reality
One of the main races at Haydock this weekend is the Unibet Mile, a Group 3 event, and our selection is REGAL REALITY. This lightly raced 3yo returned to form at Glorious Goodwood when beating Royal Ascot winner Ostilio in the Bonham Thoroughbred Stakes - despite missing the break. He also beat Threading that day by over 7 lengths - who he comes up against again here, and I think Regal Reality won’t be too far away when the finish line is looming.
15:00
Floating Artist
Richard Hannon has an impressive record in this race which makes FLOATING ARTIST our selection. Beatboxer looked the one to beat, but a late pull out has left a wide-open field with not much to look at, with none of the runners having experience on softer going. We are hoping he takes to the surface as he made a favourable impression on debut.
3:35
Hochfeld
Race 4 is the 32Red Casino Handicap, once again over 1 3/4 miles, and our pick is HOCHFELD. This Mark Johnston trained 4yo was just touched off on Saturday when he was beaten a neck by Andrew Balding’s Duretto. He led that day, and if he gets himself to the front in this contest on an easier track, he should be in the mix once more. Signs are there that he isn’t too distant from winning his first race since August last year. Ryan Moore aboard once again.
4:15
Harry Angel
The feature race at Haydock on Saturday is the 32Red Sprint Cup Stakes Group 1, over the flying six furlongs, and the selection is defending champion HARRY ANGEL. Clive Cox’s flag-bearer returns to action for the first time since getting upset in the stalls at Royal Ascot and thus losing all chance of winning the Diamond Jubilee. His campaign has somewhat stalled since then as he had to miss the July Cup at Newmarket. However, if he can relocate the form he showed when he put his rivals to the sword in this race last year, he will be hard to beat. Aside from his Ascot runs (5 starts, 5 defeats) he is yet to be headed anywhere else, and that will surely stand him in good stead ahead of Saturday. Sir Dancelot, who has been in terrific form over the summer, would be a good each way selection.
4:50
Blue de Vega
The penultimate race at Haydock is the Unibet Be Friendly Handicap, a Class 2 contest over the minimum trip of 5f. Our selection is BLUE DE VEGA. He blundered at the stalls exit and lost all chance last time out at Epsom although he did rally to 5th. He was sent off favourite that day, and a repeat of his success at Ascot three starts ago can bring him back to the winners enclosure. Oisin Murphy aboard once again on the Robert Cowell trained 5yo. Chance.
5:25
Lorelina
The final race is the EBF Breeders’ Series 32Red Fillies’ Handicap over 10 furlongs. LORELINA can complete a hat trick of wins here after good wins at Salisbury and Chester. Andrew Balding is in fine form with 16 wins from 52 in the last fortnight, and Jockeys Championship hopeful Oisin Murphy, is in the saddle.