The force is strong with David O’Meara at the moment so back Empire to strike back.
The Yorkshire trainer has endured a slow start to the season but his horses have begun to run much better in recent weeks. NOMADIC EMPIRE (1.50) was among those from his yard to struggle on his first couple of runs this season.
He also ended last year with a few below-par performances but they came on ground softer than ideal. It all means he’s slipped to a very attractive weight for this Haydock handicap. If he returns to anywhere near his best, he would have to have an excellent chance.
He’s done most of his racing over 5f but his last win came over this extra furlong. His close fourth in the Portland Handicap at Doncaster last September also came over just shy of this trip. Have 2pts each-way at 16-1. Several bookies are paying out on five places.
O’Meara also has decent claims with ASCOT ADVENTURE (2.40) at Beverley. He’s only had two runs for the yard having switched from Clive Cox over the winter. This is a drop in grade and he should be spot on for his third start of the season. Have 2pts to win at 13-2.
Saeed bin Suroor is another trainer in good form. He doesn’t have the ammunition he once had but he has still been operating at a strike-rate above 30 per cent.
His LIVE YOUR DREAM (2.25) returns from 20 months off the track at Haydock but he won when making his comeback following a similar absence a couple of years ago.
With his yard going so well, the 12-1 on offer looks way too big. Have 2pts each-way. A few bookies are stretching to four places.
Earlier on the card, RAASEL (1.15) goes on a repeat mission in the Sky Bet Achilles Stakes.
He won this race 12 months ago before following up in a Sandown Group 3. Top-level sprints were beyond him later in the season but he made a promising return following a spell in Dubai when fourth in Newmarket’s Palace House Stakes last month.
A low draw gave him an impossible task in the Group 2 Temple Stakes over this course and distance two weeks ago. He’s again copped a far-side stall but there’s loads of pace drawn around him and there’s no guarantee the track bias will be so severe this time. Have 2pts win at 7-1.
*Steve Jones' tips for June 2 all won at the recommended odds of 14-1, 9-1 and 11-1 – a 1,799-1 treble
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