The Sunday Series takes in action from Haydock and Leicester this weekend and Matty Sutcliffe has found four best bets for the ITV action.
3:45 Haydock Enter ITV7 For Free Apprentice Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 4) (3yo+ 0-85)
Gaassee 16/1 1pt EW 3 places
You’d only have to go back two years to find Gaassee rated in the low 100s for William Haggas, after progressing rapidly in handicaps prior to being sent off the 4/1F for the Ebor Handicap. He was gelded later that season and while he failed to return to the winners, he was still capable of running to RPR’s of 104 and 106 including in the Old Newtonn Cup here.
A subsequent yard switch to Archie Watson failed to spark further improvement, but his form for new handler Jack Morland this season reads 42435, including being beaten a nose at Kempton from a pound out of the weights by the resurgent Paradias. He then bounced back from a disappointing effort at Newcastle with a two lengths third to Almosh’her at Kempton, with the second winning next time out and the winner winning readily at York next time out now rated 10lbs higher.
He returned last month from a 135 day when beaten five lengths into fifth, weakening late on in the manner of one needing the run. He was giving weight away to four 3yos in front of him there with the fourth winning last Friday, and now he’s dropped to a mark of 82, 21lbs lower than his peak mark for William Haggas, it’ll be no surprise should he bounce back to the winners enclosure at a track he’s fared well at multiple times in the past.
4:45 Haydock Sky Bet Proud To Support ROR Restricted Maiden Stakes (For horses in Bands A, B, C and D) (GBB Race) (Class 4) (2yo)
Royalist 25/1 0.5pt EW 3 places
A chance is taken on Richard Hughes’ Royalist, who was all at sea in rear on debut at Ffos Las last month while displaying enough ability to suggest his 65,000 GNS Breeze Up purchase was justifiable.
Plenty of the yards two year olds tend to come on for their first run, and despite Hughes’ having the 9/2 Pretty Danielle in here too, that one’s ridden by a claimer with a record of 0-22 whereas regular rider Finley Marsh opts to stick with Royalist.
Progeny of Cotai Glory nicked with Mayson mares is generally a successful combination with both Devious Angel and Glorious Angel winning as 2yos, as well as Royalist’ full brother Ain’t Misbehaving, with the pair also related to two other winning two year olds. The yard’s form has dropped off slightly, but Hughes’ is profitable to follow at Haydock with his record reading 43-10-23 (1£10.02+) in the last five seasons and it wouldn’t be surprising if this precociously bred son of Cotai Glory can step forward drastically from a debut not devoid of promise.
5:15 Haydock Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap (Class 4) (3yo+ 0-85)
Duran 9/1 1pt WIN
Duran cosily landed a 0-95 over C&D here in May ahead of both Grandlad and Curious Rover who’ve franked the form since and now re-oppose and while he’s come up short in
three runs since, he’s dropped to only a pound lower than that last winning mark which saw him produce a career best RPR of 91.
He finished eleventh of thirteen at York next time out when beaten six lengths in a race which may have come too soon, and he found the 50K Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh too hot when finishing second last beaten seven lengths.
The handicapper did relent subsequently and was caught the eye staying on well behind an always prominent pair at Chester for a four lengths fourth, which should put him spot on for a return here which will likely have been the plan given the dominance within which he won over C&D in May, and if returning to patient tactics then this race will suit to a tee with multiple pace angles such as Copper Knight and Knicks.
6:15 Haydock Sky Bet, For The Fans Handicap (Class 4) (3yo+ 0-82)
Joseph 16/1 0.5pt EW 4 places
Earthlight gelding has ran consistently well in defeat with his form figures reading 2442356 with the sole blip coming in April when beaten eight lengths, but the cheekpieces worn the last twice have been discarded and he has to be chanced on turf debut given he’s bred to improve for the surface switch (dam second in G3 Silver Flash on GF).
The key piece of form which makes him an attractive betting proposition here is his three lengths fourth to Merchant at Wolverhampton in December, with that one now rated 113, and the form his 1/2L fifth in a 20k Southwell Novice has thrown up one subsequently rated 87.
He returns form a 126 day break in a race lacking much depth with his 3yo allowances, and if improving for this switch to turf then he rates a worthy contender.
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