One group and three listed races at Haydock

Haydock Park stages the main meeting today. with three listed races at the beginning of the card and then the Group Three John of Gaunt Stakes over 7 furlongs at 16.30 CET. That race was won last year by Main Aim (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), and , even though he has not scored again in the interim, he can take it again. On form, the toughest opponent is Lord Shanakill (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally), third to Paco Boy in the Lockinge last time.

If the rain stays away, then Dream Eater (Andrew Balding/ David Probert) could also be involved. Rain however is forecast, and if it falls, would give the chances of Les Fazzani (Kvon Ryan/ Paul Hanagan) a boost in the 1 1/2 mile race for 4yo and older fillies and mares at 16.00. Barshiba (David Elsworth/ Hayley Turner) also has a chance here, as does ex-French Becqu Adoree (Luca Cumani/ Kieren Fallon), but the one we like best is Polly´s Mark (Clive Cox/ Richard Hughes), whose fourth place in the John Porter reads very well.

The card begins with a 5 furlongs race at 15.00, in which High Standing (William Haggas/ Ryan Moore) and Inxile (David and Adrian Nicholls) stand out on form. As Inxile has already shown decent form this season, while High Standing - being aimed at Royal Ascot- has not run since September, the former is preferred. Haggas and Moore also team up with Quarrel in the 6 furlongs race for 3yo´s half an hour later, who has also not run for 8 months.In this case Angel´s Pursuit, respresenting the in-form team of Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes- is the selection, although Reignier (John Weymes/ Hanagan) could be an interesting each-way alternative; he had no luck at all last time when 4th in a similar event at Ascot.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: High Standing - Rose Blossom - Inxile
2. Race: Quarrel - Angel`S Pursuit - Mister Manannan
3. Race: Becqu Adoree - Barshiba - Les Fazzani
4. Race: Main Aim - Lord Shanakill - Dream Eater
5. Race: Royal Exchange - Ballista - Countrywide Flame
6. Race: Crackentorp - Cosmic Sun - Urban Poet
7. Race: Eton Forever - Fireback - Quiet