Saturday 31st May 2025
1.48 Haydock: Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Reverence Handicap: Kicking things off for me on the week’s Saturday blog is the 1.48 at Haydock, and this is a Class 3 handicap over six furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Tinto here for Michael Dods and Rhys Elliott, who takes off five pounds. He posted his best effort for a while last time, finishing a very narrow nose second of thirteen in a Class 3 handicap at Thirsk. He’ll effectively contest this off a four-pound lower mark with the rider’s claim coming into play, and if he’s in the same form, he’s got every chance of going well again at a nice price. Tinto – 12/1 (Each-Way) (5 places – Several firms)
2.23 Haydock: Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Achilles Stakes: We move up in grade now with the 2.23 at Haydock, which is the Listed Achilles Stakes over five furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of No Half Measures here for Richard Hughes and Oisin Murphy. She probably needed the run at Newbury on her seasonal reappearance when finishing seventh in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes, and connections also said she’d want more cut in the ground, which she should get here. She was a Group 3 winner last year at Newbury, with that success coming on heavy ground; it won’t be that deep here, however, I think she sets the standard and should strip considerably fitter second time up. No Half Measures – 9/4 (Win) (NAP)
2.40 York: William Hill More Top Prices Handicap: It’s over to York for my third selection of the afternoon and the 2.40, a Class 2 handicap over five furlongs. I like Loom here who represents Richard Fahey and is the mount of Billy Garritty. He actually ran well in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, finishing seventh and just under four lengths behind Shareholder. He returned to the track in handicap company after a layoff, and progressed from his seasonal reappearance to finish second of twenty-two here last month. That was a fine run, and off just a couple of pounds higher here, he can be bang there at the business end. Loom – 11/2 (Each-Way) (4 places – Several firms)
2.58 Haydock: Betfred Nifty 50 Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes: It’s back over to Haydock for selection number four and the 2.58, which is the Group 3 Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes over a mile and four furlongs. I’m with Shaha here for John & Thady Gosden, who’s the mount of Oisin Murphy. She made a winning return to track at Goodwood earlier this month, when getting the better of the smart Scenic by a length and a quarter within Listed company. It looked as though there was still considerable progression to come following that effort, and she could be another exciting filly for the yard. Shaha – 5/2 (Win)
3.15 York: William Hill Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes: We head back over to York for my penultimate pick of the day and the 3.15, which is the Group 3 Bronte Cup for the fillies over a mile and six furlongs. I’ve come down on the horse who my previous pick, Shaha, beat last time out, and that’s Scenic for Ed Walker and Saffie Osbourne. She ran well in defeat at Goodwood in Listed company on what was her first start of the campaign, and she should be considerably fitter for this assignment. She won the Listed Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes here last August over twelve furlongs, and given how she stayed on that day, the further couple of furlongs here shouldn’t be an issue. She should have a big part to play. Scenic – 3/1 (Win) (NB)
3.33 Haydock: Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes: My final selection of the day comes within the feature at Haydock and this is the Group 3 John Of Gaunt Stakes over seven furlongs, which is set to take place at 3.33. I’ve come down on Alyanaabi here for Owen Burrows and Jim Crowley. He’s one of the least exposed in the field, being a four-year-old, and comes into the race having won on his seasonal reappearance over course and distance in the Listed Spring Trophy here earlier this month. His best form has come on quick ground, however, he does have form on a slower surface, as he was second to City Of Troy in the Dewhurst a couple of seasons ago. I think that he’s a horse on the up, and I can see him having another serious say here at seven furlongs. Alyanaabi – 4/1 (Each-Way)
