Hi all,

It’s the first Group 1 ‘clash of the generations’ over middle distance in Britain this afternoon with the latest renewal of the Coral- Eclipse (3:40) at Sandown.

Besides the best of the action from Sandown. ITV are also covering three races live from Haydock including the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks and Old Newton Cup.

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at the best of the non-handicap action at Sandown & Haydock on Saturday.

Sandown

Apart from the day’s feature race the field sizes for the other races have held up well and the opening race looks ultra-competitive.

1:50 – Coral Charge (Group 3) – 5f

Annaf a progressive sprinter on the all-weather showed he could be just as effective on turf when a 2 ¾ length 3^rd in the King Stand Stakes. Another big performance should be forthcoming from him. Top class juvenile

Marshman was a 5 length 7^th in the King Stand Stakes. He doesn’t look up to Group 1 level so will appreciate today’s drop back in class here. Three year-old’s have won 8 of the last 15 renewals and so with Ryan Moore booked he’s got to be respected especially with ease in the ground. Trainer & Jockey combined for a winner here on Friday. 

Get Ahead was back to her best on a sound surface when winning the Listed Cecil Frail Stakes (6f) at Haydock two starts back. Produced a career best on RPR’s back over the minimum trip when a short head 2^nd of 12 (Marshman ½ length 3^rd) in a Group 2 at Chantilly last month. Quick ground brings the 4-year-old into the mix.

Makarova is one of the outsiders of the field on official ratings. However, she’s run well on her last two starts dropped back to 5f.  A good 4^th of 10 in a Haydock Listed race two starts back she posted a personal best on RPR’s when winning wining a Listed race at Ayr 14 days ago. A very strong pace suited her, and she was well on top at the finish last time. This is a much deeper race but deserves her place in the line-up and should go well provided she gets a decent pace to chase.

3:00 – Coral Distaff (Listed Race) (Fillies) – 1m

The return to quick ground suited Breege when she was a back to form length 2^nd of 29 to Coppice in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot. This looks a good opportunity for her to win a pattern race and looks a worthy favourite. Yard is 1-29 in the past 14 days though.  As I completed this write up Breege was announced a non-runner.

Her biggest rivals look to be Stenton Glider and Bridestones.  The former was a good neck 2^nd of 12 to Remarquee in the Group 3 Fred Darling. Found the 1,000 Guineas too hot on her next start but was back to form when a solid 2^nd of 11 German 1000 Guineas. Handled quick ground last time and shouldn’t be far away.

Bridestones ran with more promise than her 9 ½ length 12th of 29 to Coppice in Sandringham Handicap suggests. She raced far side and was also hampered 2f out. Doing her best work at the finish last time. She’s unexposed over a mile and handled quick ground at Ascot. Yard saddled last year’s winner.

3:40 – Coral-Eclipse (Group 1) – 1m 2f

Just the four for the Coral Eclipse. It’s race to watch rather than bet but one I’m looking forward to. It’s Paddington for me. I think he’ll improve for the step up to 1m 2f and likely tactical race will suit him better than Emily Upjohn.

Haydock

There’s some uncertainty as to the weather at Haydock on Saturday. The weather app that I consult is suggesting there could be some heavy thunderstorms which could dump as much as 10mm on the course.  If those storms do arrive, then it will have an impact on the ground.

2:40 – bet365 Lancashire Oaks (Group 2) – 1m 4f

Nine fillies & mares we left in the Haydock feature. Six of the nine are qualifiers using the trends I identified in Thursday’s preview of the race: Mimikyu, Sea Silk Road, Aristia, Time Lock, Peripatetic & Luisa Casati.  

Ante post favourite Mimikyu remains strong at the head of the betting due to the possibility of easy ground. The forecast is a mostly dry one. However, we're in the dark as to whether the Clerk Of The Course will turn the taps on Friday night. If he does that brings Time Lock into the mix. But that does nothing for the chances of Sea Silk Road and Peripatetic who would both probably prefer quicker underfoot conditions. 

Peripatetic has been weak in the ante post betting this week and the 16/1 that was available with Bet365 & Paddy Power would look attractive if you knew the ground was on the quick side of good which is by no means certain.

Saturday Verdict:

Paddington is a token selection in the Coral-Eclipse. Despite concerns she might not get the race run to suit Makarova looks overpriced in the Coral Charge. Breege is now a non-runner in the Coral Distaff and that means I’m going with Bridestones at 5/1 or bigger.

Saturday Selection:

Sandown

3:00 – Bridestones – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John