Washington DC to gain capital

Stakes win will be part of a good weekend for O’Brien

WASHINGTON DC can win the Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes at Haydock on what is likely to be a hugely profitable weekend for Aidan O’Brien.

The Zoffany colt has never won a Group race, but he made some encouraging progress last year, having finished second to Marsha in the Prix de l’Abbaye and third behind Quiet Reflection in the Commonwealth Cup.

And from what we have seen so far this season, Washington DC appears to have taken another step in the right direction.

The four-year-old won snugly on his return at Navan in April and was then pitched into battle in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket, when the Abbaye form was emphatically franked.

Washington DC had the rest of the field, a good chunk of which run in the Temple Stakes, well cooked that day, but he could not live with Marsha, who looks a bit of a superstar.

That is good form by anyone’s standards and tends to suggest O’Brien has found a niche for him over a brisk five furlongs.

Punters are advised not to give up on Brian The Snail in the Armstrong Aggregates Sandy Lane Stakes, while

DAL HARRAILD is in with a real chance of winning the Grand Cup at York.

The fast-ground-loving four-year-old must give away weight to the field, but he is a very sharp horse at this grade and will be much fitter than on his return to the fray at Newbury in April.

Dal Harraild will be having his first stab over a mile and three-quarters but he has done enough over middle distances to suggest he will stay. With William Buick on board, ST

MALO looks a good bet to take the Join Club Godolphin Handicap at York.

A winner last time out at Newcastle in October, the four-year-old should score. by THE FERRET

SELECTIONS:

HAYDOCK: 2.20 Swashbuckle, 2.55 Private Mission, 3.30 Brian The Snail, 4.05 WASHINGTON DC (NAP), 4.35 Clem Fandango, 5.10 Face The Facts, 5.40 Mojito.

YORK: 2.10 Firmament, 2.40 Dal Harraild, 3.15 Dance King, 3.50 Watchable, 4.25 Zaman, 5.00 Crimson Rosette, 5.30 Buccaneers Vault.

DOUBLE: Washington DC and Dal Harraild.