Alignak aligned for Haydock backers

Alignak can take the step up from handicap to Listed company with victory in the Tapster Stakes at Haydock.

The four-year-old has been given plenty of time to develop and mature, like so many of Sir Michael Stoute’s horses. That policy is now paying off and the Sea The Moon colt has progressed from race to race.

After getting off the mark in convincing fashion on his fourth outing at Kempton in September, he won tidily enough at Newcastle on his return last month.

Alignak is tackling better-class rivals now but he has been going the right way and is unexposed.

Breanski can be rewarded for two fine performances in defeat by taking the first division of the Churchill Tyres A Great British Brand Handicap at Beverley.

Jedd O’Keeffe’s six-year-old just failed by a neck to peg back Masked Identity at Newcastle last week, after only being beaten half a length in third place behind Northernpowerhouse at Redcar on his previous start.

Admittedly he has gone up a total of 2lb for those efforts, but he is obviously in good form and could easily get the roll of the dice this time.

Zihaam can defy a 4lb rise for a recent success over a mile and a quarter at the East Yorkshire venue by repeating the trick in the Welcome Back To Racehorse Owners Handicap. A burst of speed saw Roger Fell’s charge gain command in the final furlong to see him on top of the field at the line as he won by half a length from Ideal Candy.

As that was only his second run since returning from an eight-month absence, the chances are there is more to come from the six-year-old.

BEVERLEY: 12.00 Navajo Spring, 12.35 The Grey Bay, 1.10 Frankenstella, 1.40 Stonific, 2.10 Dawn Breaking, 2.40 Breanski, 3.10 Rux Ruxx, 3.40 Zihaam, 4.10 Trinity Girl.

HAYDOCK: 4.25 Pot Of Paint, 4.55 Imperial Force, 5.25 Kapono, 5.55 Harmonious, 6.25 ALIGNAK (NAP), 6.55 Snazzy Jazzy, 7.25 Lawahed, 7.55 Future King, 8.25 Oloroso.

DOUBLE: Alignak and Raatea.

CASTLEGATE’S SELECTION TREACHEROUS (Haydock 5.25)

Sir Michael Stoute