Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Haydock & Kempton Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Haydock 1.25 – Superior Mile Stakes
Dancing Gemini (11/4) is back down in grade and distance.
A very capable miler, he hasn't had his best campaign this year but ran with encouragement in the Lockinge a couple of starts back
He’s been over the 10 furlongs since, which I don’t think has really suited, but it looks like there’s a bit of pace on here.
Dancing Gemini’s a strong travelling horse who, hopefully, can sit in behind the leaders and I think the combination of dropping in class and distance is going to help get him back on track.
Megan’s Tip: Dancing Gemini Win
Haydock 2.30 – Handicap (GBBPlus Race)
I like Reem Rak (5/1) for Roger Varian.
Up in grade here, she’s got to improve again but has a really light weight on her back which should suit.
I think the ground looks like it’s going to be on the testing side but she will handle that – others will have question marks about it.
So I’m going to go with Reem Rak here, who could well outstay her rivals; she’s a nice, improving filly.
Megan’s Tip: Reem Rak Win
Kempton 2.50 – September Stakes
I’m with Gethin (7/4 fav), who won at Kempton on his return.
He was far too keen in the Eclipse last time. The pace was a bit crazy and it never really happened.
Prior to that, he served it up to Ombudsman so the form is good and I think he’s a big, imposing and improving colt still.
I’d love to see him bounce back here and then head to the Arc. I think Gethin’s a very talented horse; he stays well, it’s just all about keeping a lid on him.
Jockey Callum Rodriguez knows the horse well, so it’s a positive that he’s back on board while James Doyle is at Haydock.
And I think this could be the answer to whether they’re going to head to Longchamp for the Arc in a few weeks or not.
But I had him down as an Arc horse early on in the season when actually winning at Kempton back in the spring, and he’s still as big as 33/1 in that – he’s overpriced.
As I say, if he can keep his head here, he is the one to beat.
Obviously, we can give a mention to Constitution Hill (9/2), who lines up here and who’s been impressive in a couple of starts on the Flat so far.
He hasn't had a suitable race on the turf due to quick conditions, so he's back on the all-weather.
Constitution Hill’s galloped at Kempton plenty of times and always seemed to handle the conditions and the track well.
He’s an amazing horse and we’re lucky to see him in the winter months. He’s had a bit of a break but I think is going to be a real test here – running up against some pretty top-class, Flat horses and will have to step it up again.
Megan’s Tip: Gethin Win
Haydock 3.05 – Old Borough Cup Handicap (GBBPlus Race)
Aegean Prince (85/40 fav) looks the worthy favourite.
I think he could take the beating as a lightly raced horse that switches to the handicaps for the first time. This year he has run with give in the ground, which looks to have suited him.
I think they have probably been wanting to target places that have got a bit of soft in the description.
He gets that at Haydock.
He looks to stay well, is lightly raced and could well be better than a handicapper down the line. He’s a nice type who is off a fair opening mark in what is an open race that requires a lot of stamina.
Aegean Prince is the one for me.
Megan’s Tip: Aegean Prince Win
Haydock 3.40 – Sprint Cup Stakes
In the Sprint Cup I am sticking with Almeraq (12/5 fav), who didn’t really perform at all in the July Cup for whatever reason.
But a flatter track and a bit of give in the ground are two positives for him. This looks a nice opportunity for a top-class sprinter still relatively lightly raced and conditions look to suit him well.
With Kind of Blue (7/2) probably his biggest danger, he was a winner on Champions Day in previous seasons on slow ground – that was the only time he ever got the soft conditions and he did thrive on that.
He will appreciate the give underfoot and he could run an improved race and put it up to Almeraq.
But I’m with Almeraq here to bounce back.
Megan’s Tip: Almeraq Win
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
