Our top tipster provides his best bets for the action from Haydock, live on Racing TV, and Ascot.
1.40 Ascot: The Fingal Raven
Two starts ago The Fingal Raven ran an excellent third in a more competitive event than this at Goodwood and might well have finished closer but for meeting the almost inevitable trouble in running at that track.
He returned there last time out for a similar event but was drawn in the car park and realistically had no chance and once again didn’t get a clear run through before being eased off.
Jamie Osborne’s gelding is a talented horse and won a strong handicap at Meydan early in the year.
He shouldn’t have excuses in the wide open spaces of Ascot and I am hopeful The Fingal Raven might well prove himself to be in better form than is suggested by his 50/1 odds.
3.05 Haydock: Kissmehoneyhoney
Kissmehoneyhoney is very much the outsider of the William Haggas pair in this Haydock feature but I cannot see why the price disparity is so great and with bookies paying extra places, this lightly raced filly could be value at around 20/1.
The 4yo won her only start last season battling well to beat a next time out winner and subsequent Group placed horse into third.
She reappeared in a Listed event at Goodwood but wasn’t up to that level, but last time out ran well enough in a minor event at Hamilton.
She may not ever be a star for the yard but if taking after her dam she will improve with age, distance and perhaps most importantly very soft ground. I don’t believe she is not going to better than a 79 rated horse and she can definitely nab a place here.
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3.40 Haydock: Paborus
Paborus came good on his second start when winning a Redcar maiden on soft ground in really good style, drawing clear in the final furlong, clearly relishing the conditions.
He has not raced on soft ground but has developed into a smart performer, winning good races at 7 furlongs as well as the Group 3 Chipchase at Newcastle over today’s trip, beating today’s rival Marvelman.
Ed Bethell’s charge has a positive way of racing which will suit at this track and his proven stamina will also be an asset in the heavy going.
Paborus very likely did too much in a much stronger Group 1 over 7 furlongs at York last time, weakening in the last furlong, but might have landed on a race here that is an ideal opportunity for him to win a Group 1.
4.50 Haydock: Star Anthem
Star Anthem has been out of form for a while and has only beaten 3 rivals in two races three months apart this season.
However his trainer Clive Cox is in very good form and has got the 4yo out again within three weeks this time, which suggests he is confident there are no issues with him.
Star Anthem has raced only 4 times on soft or heavy ground in his career, winning his maiden and finishing placed in a Group 3 and only disappointing once.
Star Anthem is now 10lbs lower than when third in a Chester handicap last summer and has conditions to suit him very well today. There are seemingly no excuses for him here apart from completely losing his form and at available odds I feel that is worth risking.