Zefferino to fly high at Haydock
Zefferino finally got off the mark at the fourth attempt last month and now he has got his head in front, can keep up the good work in the Watch Racing UK In HD Handicap at Haydock today.
Second on his racecourse bow at Newmarket last August, Roger Charlton’s charge was then not beaten too far in conditions company and was duly sent off favourite at Wolverhampton in November.
However, he could only finish fourth after striking out for home far too early and the lessons were learnt as Zefferino was ridden with a bit more restraint on his return at Lingfield last month.
While the Frankel colt took a bit of time to really hit top gear, he assumed control of the race inside the 200m of the 1400m race and looked a fairly comfortable 1.50-length winner of what was only an average race.
An initial mark of 83 seems fair enough and the step up to 1600m here seems likely to suit on pedigree.
Merlin sidestepped a run at a very wet Wetherby last week but can make up for lost time in the Racing UK HD Handicap.
He dropped down slightly from 1600m to win with ease over 1200m at Nottingham last time, but Michael Bell pushes him back up to 1400m now.
That can hardly be a negative, though, as he has shown enough stamina to place over 1600m previously, so Merlin must be one for the short list.
Ross Raith Rover seems to enjoy a trip to the seaside and he can strike gold once again in the Follow Us On Facebook At Yarmouth Racecourse Handicap.
Robert Eddery has sent him to the track for his last two outings, yielding a third and a victory, so it is easy to see why he would want to stick to a winning formula.
He was beaten far on that first effort, but clearly stepped up on that a bit to win by a head last time, with the margin of victory limiting the handicappers to a 1,5kg rise.
Ross Raith Rover counts an American Grade 1 winner among his half-siblings and while he is not of that calibre, he is smart enough for a race like this.
Beyond Recall has fallen slightly short in maiden company so far but a switch in sphere can see her come good in the Seadell Chalet Holiday Park Handicap.
Well out of the frame in two maiden outings in her juvenile year, Beyond Recall made her seasonal bow at Haydock in April, appearing a likely winner of a 1600m race before being caught on the line.
Beaten half a length by a newcomer, the value of the form is far from clear, but Beyond Recall certainly ran well enough in defeat.
She kicks off handicap life on a mark of 73 and Luca Cumani will surely be keen to get a win on the board for this Cacique filly, who runs in the colours of his Fittocks Stud.