Haydock and Kempton Saturday Racing Tips
There’s loads of racing action to look forward to on Saturday and the best of it comes from Haydock and Kempton. Seven of the best races will be live on ITV and it should be an enthralling day’s racing.
The big race of the day is the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock (15:35) and it’s well supported by a couple of £100,000 handicaps, including the Old Borough Cup (15:00). Kempton hosts two Group 3s and the opener is the September Stakes (13:35).
Our expert has had a good look at all the races and picked out his strongest fancy in each, including one at a decent price in the main event at Haydock.
13:15 - Haydock - Superior Mile Stakes
Charlie Johnston’s SUITE FRANCAISE is three from four so far and she took a big step forward to win a Listed race over course and distance in very good style when last seen. Making all the running that day, her rivals had no response and the daughter of Study Of Man pulled two lengths clear at the line. Being a three-year-old filly, she gets all the weight allowances today and looks well set to take full advantage.
Selection: Suite Francaise
13:35 - Kempton - September Stakes
A shot at Longchamp’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the ultimate aim for KALPANA and she should prove very hard to beat if connections are confident ahead of her French bid. Hong Kong Vase winner Giavellotto is the only runner with the form to compete but Kalpana’s recent form suggests she has him covered. Colin Keane heads here to take the ride and a reproduction of any of her three starts this season would be more than enough.
Selection: Kalpana
13:50 - Haydock - Ascendant Stakes
It could be a good day for the Juddmonte team and this Listed juvenile contest is set to go the way of PUBLISH. John and Thady Gosden train the son of Kingman, who was a very unlucky loser on debut at Sandown. He made no mistake back at Sandown the second time around and the runner-up has since bolted up, providing a boost to the form. A step up in grade was inevitable and this looks like an excellent opportunity to follow up.
Selection: Publish
14:05 - Kempton - London Mile Series Final Handicap
SKY SAFARI is unbeaten in three starts on the all-weather and clearly saves her best for artificial surfaces. That streak will probably end at some point but she could win this before that happens. She has won two qualifiers in very comfortable fashion, including last time out, and a 5lb rise might not be enough to stop her from going in again. The yard is in good form and that adds to her already strong chances.
Selection: Sky Safari
14:25 - Haydock - Handicap
Charlie Johnston runs the progressive three-year-old POLE STAR in this race and he’s already a two-time course winner. This includes a narrow success in a similarly valuable race over this trip in July and it’s possible that there’s still more to come. A respectable sixth in the Melrose at York last time out, this race looks a little easier.
Selection: Pole Star
15:00 - Haydock - Old Borough Cup Handicap
PADDY THE SQUIRE has been in very good form this season and the handicapper hasn’t caught up just yet. Iain Jardine’s five-year-old won by five lengths at Thirsk on his penultimate start and followed that up with another impressive win at Hamilton. He tries 1m6f for the first time here and keeping the faith could prove to be the right decision.
Selection: Paddy The Squire
15:35 - Haydock - Sprint Cup Stakes
Mick Appleby has booked William Buick to ride BIG MOJO and you could hardly ask for a better substitute for regular rider Tom Marquand. This horse won a Group 3 over 5f on just his second start last term and won at the same level over this trip on seasonal debut. It was a fine effort when second by a neck in the July Cup two starts ago and a similar effort would surely give him every chance.
Selection: Big Mojo
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
