Rocket Boy 2/1 – Haydock 1.55
Based on the form we know, this doesn't look like a strong Listed race, but it could get messy due to the ground.
Rocket Boy has already shown a good level of form, but isn't the market favourite because of the once-raced Godolphin runner. Rocket Boy was third in a Listed race at Salisbury last time out, but was still immature, which is to be expected from an inexperienced horse.
Rocket Boy was a 1,000,000gns purchase as a yearling, and from a lesser owner and not a huge yard, that is a big investment.
Toyotomi 7/1 – Haydock 4.15
Trilby at the head of the market will really relish these conditions, but he's a six-year-old and is getting high in the handicap. Could he still win this? Definitely, but he might be prone to a better handicapped horse.
Of the bunch, Toyotomi was the one who I thought was an interesting candidate. He has run over a mile in the past when trained in France, and has turned into a decent sprinter. Six furlongs is probably his ideal trip these days, but heavy ground could see him get involved. We know he handles these conditions, and we know that he can be competitive. He was fourth in a Group 3 last year in France on his stable debut for David O'Meara, worthy of an RPR of 106.
Addison Grey 5/1 – Ascot 1.40
I have been on the wrong side of Addison Grey a few times in the last two seasons. Whenever I've backed him, he hasn't won; whenever I've backed against him, he's beaten me. Based on that, we're surely bound to get on the right side of him at some stage.
I was impressed by his win at Newbury in his first run over seven furlongs. On paper, it was bound to suit, as he stays on powerfully over a furlong less, and it worked wonders.
He has gone up 4lbs for that recent success, but he was well on top at the line, so maybe the 4lbs isn't enough to stop another big run.
Social Symbol 9/1 – Kempton 3.20
After being keen when I tipped him up at Newbury, I thought he had bags of potential, but it relies on him settling in his races.
Since then, he has run once more, which resulted in a third-placed finish over five furlongs in France. He settled a bit better in that race, but that might be due to faster splits over a shorter distance. He stayed on in that race, which is why I am adamant that this trip is what he wants.
The bends of the AW should be better suited for him, as it should allow him to keep more focused on the task at hand. He is 9/1 in what looks like an open race, and I want to give him one more chance.
GambleAware