EL CABALLO is expected to show his true colours with a victory in the Group 3 Sky Bet John Of Gaunt Stakes (3.35) at Haydock Park.
Karl Burke’s four-year-old sank in heavy ground at Doncaster in March, marking his return to the fray for 2023 with a last-of-10 finish behind Vadream in the Listed Cammidge Trophy.
But that performance is no guide to the merit of a colt who showed progressive form at two and three. Having ended his three-race juvenile campaign with wins at Carlisle and Wolverhampton, El Caballo carried on the good work last year, racking up a four-timer with victory in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes over here in May.
There’s no penalty for Clifford Lee’s mount to carry and, with his trainer knocking in the winners and with the Newton-le-Willows playing surface described as ‘good to firm’, El Caballo can bounce back.
Burke and Lee also hold a strong hand in the opening Listed Sky Bet Achilles Stakes (1.15) with KORKER.
The son of Dandy Man isn’t the easiest horse to predict but has run well on his previous two visits to Haydock a shemozzle leaving the stalls at York last month did for his chance. The leading fancies for this five-furlong test are covered by a couple of bags of sugar on British Horseracing Authority figures, and Korker is capable of having a say in the finish.
Top weight Mr Wagyu heads the betting for the Sky Bet Reverence Handicap (1.50) but the value may lie with LUCKY MAN.
Richard Spencer’s sprinter followed a success at York in September with a fine Ayr Gold Cup fourth 13 days later and rising star Billy Loughnane’s partner should come on for his comeback at York’s Dante Festival.
He was back to winning form in the Braveheart Handicap at Hamilton Park on his most recent start and GOOD SHOW gets the vote to follow up in the Better Betting With Sky Bet Handicap (2.25).
The youngsters take centre stage at Beverley, where FUSTERLANDIA can better a neck debut defeat at Leicester by beating six rivals for the bet365 Two year Old Trophy Conditions Stakes (3.15).
A troubled passage saw Richard Fahey’s MIDNIGHT AFFAIR take home the silver medal at Newmarket in May, but gold looks within touching distance in the Hilary Needler Trophy Fillies’ Conditions Stakes (2.05).
Fahey saddles OUTRUN THE STORM in the following bet365 Handicap (2.40) and the son of Foostepsinthesand has dropped to an attractive mark.
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