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Saturday is a busy day of racing. There is the Shergar Cup, if that is something you're interested in. That meeting isn't something I like to get involved in, so I've opted for a couple of the other UK meetings and I also had a look at France.
Today's Lucky 15 is advised an each way bet.
Boston Run 15/2 (3pl) – Haydock 3.35
Hugo Palmer will have to work his magic on Boston Run, as his run at this track last time out was not the same level as his previous visits. This horse has taken a liking to Haydock, and three of his runs at this venue before his final run were all very solid efforts.
The form of the Hugo Palmer yard is very strong at present, and I think he knows this horse handles this track very well, and a return here is the best opportunity for him to get a win. From seven runs in his career, he is yet to win a race, but I think over this trip at this course is the best chance for him to win a race.
Richard Kingscote takes over in the saddle, which is a great jockey booking. Richard was the main man for Tom Dascombe. When Tom was the trainer for Michael Owens (like Hugo Palmer, now), he was the best jockey at Haydock. Over that period of ten years or so, you would struggle to find a jockey who rode Haydock like Richard. He was mustard, and hopefully, he goes from the front from stall 3 like old Kingscote would've done.
Gorak 8/1 (3pl) – Haydock 4.10
I was tempted to go with Excellent Believe for the main thread, but his last run against the older horses put too much doubt in my mind. There are useful older horses in this race, and Gorak stood off the page the most.
Charlie Fellowes has started to fire in some winners after having a dreadful season up to now. Gorak has always been a horse who has plenty of ability, but was cooked when he ran a belter in a Class 1 race at this track when being handicapped to a mark in the 80s. That shot his handicap mark up and meant he was contesting some of the hardest handicaps for the trip.
To be fair to the horse, he has gone close in some good races off higher marks than today, but he always seems to get beaten by something better handicapped on the day. That scenario is very possible for today, but his handicap mark has dropped to 92, which is the lowest it has been in two years. His runs this year have been okay, but I think the return to this track is needed. Some of his best runs have been at Haydock, including his return to the track this year when finishing 0.5L behind Myal, who has been in great form this year.
John Barleycorn 5/1 (3pl) – Newmarket 1.55
The top weight in this race is interesting, and I was also tempted to back him as I loved his debut effort over five furlongs at York. The trip and track were not suited for him that day, but he pulled it out of the fire. I think he is the one to beat now, tackling a more suitable trip, but 9st 9lbs in a nursery against unexposed horses seems a tough ask.
Eve Johnson Houghton has been a trainer who has gone under the radar with her juveniles in the last five years, when she shouldn't have. She has trained some smart juveniles during that time, but this year she has started to get her flowers for some of the big successes. Her runner in this is interesting off a mark of 71. He went close last time out in a Newbury handicap, but didn't do himself any favours by being too keen. If he can settle, I think he is a player in this race.
First Legion 4/1 (2pl) – Deauville 1.33
Graft probably brings in the best form for this race, finishing seventh behind Charles Darwin at Royal Ascot. That horse finished ahead of my selection, First Legion, but maybe Ascot wasn't to his liking.
First Legion has some strong form. He won on debut, then carried a penalty and was narrowly beaten by the eventual Newbury Super Sprint winner. That looks like solid form, as the winner beat a Royal Ascot winner at Newbury.
Other than that, Shine On Me has some good form, but the rest look fairly average. It's hard to get a gauge on the form line of Valasara, but has to be respected due to the trainer and owner.
GambleAware