Group races at Haydock and Newmarket

The two group races at Haydock and Newmarket are the two classiest races of the day, even though the Shergar Cup may grab the headlines. At Haydock, the Rose of Lancaster Stakes over 10 furlongs at 15.50 CET looks very open, although Godolphin´s Rio de la Plata (Saeed bin Suroor/ Ted Durcan) is the likely favourite after winning twice (including a dead-heat); on his 2yo form he would be a good thing, but his latest efforts were not quite up to that standard. The 3 3yo´s in the field all look dangerous- Green Moon (Harry Dunlop/ Neil Callan), Fallen Idol (John Gosden/ William Buick) and I can Dream (David Wachman/ Darryll Holland), but now that the rain has come, we prefer the oldest horse in the field, the 6yo mare Les Fazzani (Kevin Ryan/ Paul Hanagan), who always goes well here and whose form when 4th here in the Lancahire Oaks has been well boosted since.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Shubaat - Comedy Act - Zigato
2. Race: Desert Creek - What`S Up Pussycat - Our Joe Mac
3. Race: Rio De La Plata - Les Fazzani - Green Moon
4. Race: Pires - Hot Prospect - Breakheart
5. Race: Jamesway - Boundaries - Dingle View
6. Race: Novellen Lad - The Nifty Fox - Fathsta
7. Race: Rainy Night - Feeling Fresh - Volito
8. Race: Captain Scooby - Two Turtle Doves - Scrapper Smith




The Sweet Solera Stakes at 15.50 at Newmarket is for 2yo fillies over 7 furlongs, and all 9 runners are winners, 3 of them still unbeaten. Of these latter, White Moonstone (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori) could be the most interesting; she won her maiden at Ascot in very promising style. Khor Sheed (Luca Cumani/ Kieren Fallon), who won a listed race here over 6 furlongs, looks the biggest danger. The race is sponsored by German Thoroughbred Marketing, who are mounting a major PR initiative for Grman racing and breeding at Newmarket this afternoon; the BBAG sales company and Baden Racing are also sponsors.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Psychic Ability - Rumble Of Thunder - Kindest
2. Race: White Moonstone - Khor Sheed - Crying Lightening
3. Race: Sunraider - Glen Shiel - Oratory
4. Race: Abtasaamah - New River - Malacca Straits
5. Race: Pink Palace - Vibrant Force - Western Pearl
6. Race: Cotillion - Plymouth Rock - Bollin Felix
7. Race: Cloud`S End - Blue Lyric - Amethyst Dawn