Saturday 10th May 2025
1.35 Haydock: Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle: We kick things off this Saturday with a solitary jumps race of the day, and this is the 1.35 at Haydock, which is the Swinton Handicap Hurdle over a mile and seven and a half furlongs. I like Lanesborough here for Ben Pauling and Ben Jones. He’s still unexposed as a six-year-old and comes into the race fresh, having not been seen since winning a Warwick handicap by five lengths in February. He could prove considerably ahead of his mark of 116, and this has possibly been his target. Lanesborough – 10/1 (Each-Way) (5 places – Several firms)
2.05 Ascot: Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% British EBF Fillies’ Handicap: It’s over to Ascot for my second selection of the afternoon and the 2.05, which is a Class 2 fillies handicap over the straight mile. I’m with Arisaig here for Charlie Johnston and Callum Shepherd. She’s a smart filly and has run well in both of her starts to date this term, finishing fifth in the Spring Cup at Newbury on her seasonal reappearance before filling the same position at Goodwood last time out in a Listed contest. She didn’t get a clear run in the final furlong on that occasion and was only a length and three-quarters behind the eventual winner. I think she could make amends here now that she’s back within handicap company. Arisaig – 5/2 (Win)
2.25 Lingfield: William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap: My third selection of the afternoon comes from Lingfield and the 2.25, a Class 2 handicap contested over a mile and three and a half furlongs. I’m fairly strong on the chances of Candyman Stan here for the team of Andrew Balding and Jason Watson. He made a big impression on his seasonal reappearance at Brighton when winning a Class 4 handicap by five lengths, giving the impression that a quick surface is what he wants. He still looks like he’s improving and can go well again here. Candyman Stan – 11/8 (Win) (NB)
2.40 Ascot: Schweppes Victoria Cup: It’s back over to Ascot now for the 2.40, which is the Victoria Cup, and this is a Class 2 handicap over seven furlongs. This is extremely competitive, however, I’ve come down on two in it with the first of which being Gleneagle Bay for Stephen Horne and Hollie Doyle. He was sent off the favourite for the Irish Lincoln on his most recent start, and ran well finishing fifth of twenty-seven, and there should still be a lot more to come from him off the same mark here. I also like Metal Merchant for Jack Channon and David Probert. He can be a tricky horse, but has course form to his name and can build on an underwhelming seasonal reappearance at Newbury back down to seven furlongs here. He finished a length fourth in the International Handicap here last season off a pound higher mark. Gleneagle Bay 17/2 (Each-Way) & Metal Merchant 11/1 (Each-Way) (5 places – Several firms)
3.00 Lingfield: William Hill Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes: We move up in grade at 3.00 with the Lingfield Derby Trial that’s contested over a mile and three and a half furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of Puppet Master here for the all-conquering team of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. The team cleaned up all of the pattern races at Chester in the week, and I think they have another very live chance here. He possibly needed the run last time out when finishing four and three-quarters of a length behind stablemate Delacroix in a Leopardstown Group 3, and he should be a lot sharper now. I think he could confirm the promise he showed last term and develop into a very smart sort. Puppet Master – 11/8 (Win) (NAP)
3.15 Ascot: Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Handicap: My penultimate pick of the day comes within the 3.15 at Ascot, and this is a Class 3 handicap over a mile and four furlongs. I’ve come down on Fireblade here for Dylan Cunha and the eyecatching jockey booking of William Buick. He was a long-standing maiden for the Gosdens, despite knocking on the door several times, however, he got off the mark at the first time of asking for his new yard in what was his handicap debut at Leicester last month. He’s a strong stayer, and there could be more to come here. Fireblade – 5/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Several firms)
3.35 Lingfield: William Hill Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes: Signing me off for the day will be the 3.35 at Lingfield, and this is the Group 3 Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes over seven furlongs. I like Jabaara here for Roger Varian and Silvestre De Sousa. She developed into a smart filly last term, winning a couple of Listed contests and was first past the post in a Goodwood Group 3. She was last seen when finishing sixth in an American Group 1 at Keeneland, where she didn’t disgrace herself, being three and a quarter lengths behind the winner. I think she sets the standard, and if she runs up to her best form, she should go close. Jabaara – 5/2 (Win)
