There is a quality afternoon of racing on Saturday, with Newmarket and Haydock staging some competitive cards.
The action begins on the July Course at Newmarket with the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes, before Haydock hosts a strong card featuring the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes, the Listed Dick Hern Stakes, and a valuable two-year-old maiden.
Saturday’s Horse Racing Tips:
- 13:55 Newmarket: Nuit d’Eclair
- 14:25 Haydock: Sallaal
- 15:00 Haydock: Fallen Angel
- 15:05 Newmarket: Danse Royale
- 16:40 Haydock: Cosi Bello
13:55 Newmarket – Newsells Park Stud Sweet Solera Stakes (Group 3)
The Sweet Solera Stakes has a strong record of producing future stars, with recent winners including Fallen Angel and Lake Victoria, who both went on to Group 1 success.
This year’s renewal looks another interesting contest, with several promising two-year-olds lining up.
Nuit d’Eclair sets the standard on form after finishing fourth in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot, having previously impressed when winning on debut at Newbury. She is already rated 95 and looks the one to beat.
Graceful Song is likely to prove popular after making a winning debut over course and distance. The daughter of Dubawi has a strong pedigree and created a good impression first time out.
Martinet is another fascinating contender. By Frankel and out of dual Group 1 winner Coronet, she showed plenty of promise when winning at Thirsk and has the potential to improve.
Harlequin Sky brings valuable experience having finished third in the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot before running respectably in Group 3 company.
Selection: Nuit d’Eclair
14:25 Haydock – Rose Of Lancaster Stakes (Group 3)
The £95,000 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes is the feature race at Haydock and has been dominated by the market in recent years, with the favourite or joint-favourite winning seven renewals in a row.
The race has attracted a strong field, headed by Sallaal, who is the highest-rated runner.
The Roger Varian-trained four-year-old arrives in excellent form after winning his last two starts, including a Listed contest over this trip at Sandown. Rated 119, he sets a strong standard.
Nahraan, trained by John and Thady Gosden, is another with a smart profile. He won his first three starts, including a Listed race, before finishing third in Group 3 company in France. His Royal Ascot run can be forgiven after racing too freely.
Convergent brings Group 3-winning form having landed the John Porter Stakes at Newbury, although he has disappointed in two runs since.
Danger Bay remains open to improvement after winning three of his last five starts and finishing an unlucky fourth in the valuable John Smith’s Cup at York.
Selection: Sallaal
15:00 Haydock – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Dick Hern Stakes (Listed)
The Dick Hern Stakes has produced some surprise results in recent years, with the last four winners returned at double-figure or mid-range prices. However, this year’s race features a standout contender.
Fallen Angel is the highest-rated runner by a considerable margin and has already won three Group 1 races during her career.
Although she has not quite reached those heights in two starts this season, both came in top-level company, and she is entitled to improve with those runs behind her.
Pacific Mission is another interesting contender after finishing second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf, although her recent form has been below that level.
Alobayyah arrives in good form after winning at Royal Ascot and remains open to further progress, while Silenciosa could also outrun her odds after a Listed second at Sandown.
Ireland is represented by Aviatrice, who has won three times at Dundalk, but faces a tougher task on ratings.
Selection: Fallen Angel
15:05 Newmarket – Tattersalls EBF Newcomer Fillies’ Stakes
This £40,000 maiden has a history of producing high-class horses, with previous winners including Group 1 performers such as Wuheida and See The Fire.
The race features a number of beautifully bred newcomers, making it one for the future.
Charlie Appleby’s Danse Royale is likely to attract plenty of attention after costing a significant amount as a yearling and representing a powerful stable.
Other interesting contenders include Lex Victoria, who cost €1.1 million at the breeze-ups, Watch Party, a well-bred Roger Varian newcomer, and Thi Qar for the Gosdens.
The market is likely to provide important clues, with recent winners of this race generally coming from the shorter-priced runners.
Selection: Danse Royale (market watch advised)
16:40 Haydock – Capital City Handicap (London Mile Series Qualifier)
The Class 3 Capital City Handicap brings the Haydock card to a close and is an open-looking mile contest.
Recent history suggests younger horses have held the advantage, with three-year-olds winning six of the last seven renewals. Only two three-year-olds line up this year, Mountain Cat and Lost Signal, while nine of the last ten winners had been returned at 8/1 or shorter.
Several runners arrive with strong claims.
Cosi Bello has been highly consistent and has yet to run a bad race. He won over 7f at Haydock in April from a mark of 95 and remains relatively unexposed over a mile, having raced just twice at today’s distance.
Mountain Cat is an interesting three-year-old for Saeed bin Suroor. He has won two of his three starts and his only defeat came in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot. The drop back to a mile should suit, and first-time cheek-pieces could help.
Lost Signal is another lightly raced three-year-old with potential. He has won two of his five starts and now makes his handicap debut from a mark of 91.
Witch Hunter arrives after winning at Thirsk last time and has previously shown form off higher marks, while Inspired and Tilted Kitt are others who could have more to offer.
Selection: Cosi Bello
Saturday’s Horse Racing Tips:
- 13:55 Newmarket: Nuit d’Eclair
- 14:25 Haydock: Sallaal
- 15:00 Haydock: Fallen Angel
- 15:05 Newmarket: Danse Royale
- 16:40 Haydock: Cosi Bello
