Saturday 7th August 2021

Author: Jordan Yates

“Welcome to this week’s Saturday Preview where it just so happens to be Shergar Cup Day at Ascot, probably my least favourite meeting of the year so I’ll be giving it next to no attention whatsoever. I do have one I fancy there though so I’d best mention that I suppose. Other than that, it’s the Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket and we also have a solid card at Haydock which I’ll venture into. 

As ever though, enjoy!”

– Jordan

I’ll kick things off with the 2.50 at Newmarket which is the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes. The race is contested over a distance of seven furlongs and features a couple of horses I’ve enjoyed following the progression of this season, having seen them in the flesh back in the Spring. These are Wild Beauty and Sunstrike, both hold big chances here, however, I’m going to back neither of them. That’s because I’ve gone with the Mark Johnston trained Value Theory who I have no sentimental attachment with whatsoever. The two-year-old chestnut filly by Gleneagles was last seen when winning over course and distance in July, taking out a novice event by over two lengths in pretty impressive style. It’s likely she’ll improve again for that which could well make her tough to beat here, added to the fact that course form can count for a lot around around this track.

Moving up north to Haydock now, and it will come as no surprise that we currently have soft going there. I’ve got a couple I fancy at this track this afternoon and the first comes in the 3:00 which is a Class 4 Handicap over seven furlongs. I quite like the chances of Cold Stare here for David O’Meara and Danny Tudhope, who’s currently trading at a best price of 4/1. The six-year-old hasn’t managed to find the winners enclosure yet this season but as a result has dropped to a very workable mark of 85, he’s also got very solid course form having won at the track twice off higher. He will have to lump top weight around here but if he’s anywhere near his best he’s got every chance of putting this lot to the sword at a venue he seems to enjoy.

I’ll stay in time order and my next fancy of the day comes at 3:45 which means taking a trip to Ascot for my beloved Shergar Cup. This particular contest is the ‘Shergar Cup Sprint’ for all of you legitimate enthusiasts of the meeting out there, and I like Royal Scimitar here for Clive Cox and Nicola Currie. I actually put this horse up at Goodwood last week but he was pulled out, seemingly because of unsuitable going. He was well fancied that day in what was, in my opinion anyway, a hotter race than the one he’s been assigned to here. He was last seen when flying home at Newmarket in July when on the wrong side of the track, and he looks a typical type for his trainer who does so well with similar types. I think there could be a lot more to come from this speedy three-year-old.

My fourth and final punt of the day comes from Haydock and their 4.10 which is the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes over a mile and two and a half furlongs. Real World will set the standard here at the top of the market and will be closely followed by the very likeable Euchen Glen, both hold obvious big chances. It’s the Andrew Balding trained Foxes Tales I like here though who’s to be ridden by retained rider Silvestre De Sousa. Currently trading at around 11/2 he’s been in fine form this season winning a big handicap at Royal Ascot before following up at Newmarket when being beaten just a head. I think this colt by Zoffany is ready for this step up in grade and unlike most of these looks very unexposed still.