Dancer’s got trick up sleeve
He’s the jewel in the Crown!
AWARD DANCER (5.15) can quickstep his way to a hat-trick in the Sky Bet Sunday Series Middle Distance Handicap at Haydock tomorrow.
The four-year-old has got his act together since joining Grant Tuer from Joseph O’Brien (pictured) and is two from two for the Yorkshire trainer.
He’s up 6lb for the most recent of those victories, but the outing came on the back of an eight-month break, so he is entitled to strip fitter.
And that win was achieved with a degree of ease, as he travelled smoothly into contention before putting matters to bed a furlong when pulling away. On the evidence of that, there’s more to come. LEXINGTON KNIGHT (3.52) has slid down the weights this year but showed enough at Newmarket last time to suggest his turn may be near.
Mediocre
Richard Hannon’s gelding began the year on a mark of 80 yet lines up in the Visit racingtv.com Handicap at Leicester off 66 after some mediocre efforts.
Judging by that improved effort at HQ, when he finished a two-length third after being blocked in his run, that may be low enough to open the door to a first win since his sole success last summer.
STROMBOLI (3.20) catches the eye in the Racecourse Live Streams On RacingTV Extra Handicap.
He put up a muchimproved effort last time on his first run after a wind op when just held by an unexposed type at Ripon.
A pointer to Stromboli’s chance comes ten minutes early when PEPSI CAT (3.10) lines up in the Racing League On Sky Sports Racing Fillies’ Handicap at Windsor.
That’s because she’s the above-mentioned unexposed type who held him off at Ripon, and it’s worth going all-in on that form and backing Steph Hollinshead’s filly as well.
JAMES Doyle believes Naval Crown’s versatility will stand him in good stead ahead of the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville tomorrow.
A 33-1 winner of the Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot from better-fancied Charlie Appleby-trained stablemate Creative Force, he proved that was no fluke when a clear second to Alcohol Free in the July Cup.
Having finished fourth in last year’s 2000 Guineas, the six-and-ahalf-furlong trip should not be an issue and he is set to go off favourite this weekend.
“He went into Ascot as a bit of an underdog at a big price but he backed it up in the July Cup, as we thought he would,” said Doyle. “I’m very much looking forward to it. The trip shouldn’t be a problem as he was fourth in the Guineas and second in the Jersey, so he’s got that versatility.
“Ground-wise he’s versatile as well — he just got beat in a Jersey on heavy, but he’s got two top-class performances on fast ground as well.
“It’s always hard to know what ground you will get in France until you get there, but it looks a fairly decent forecast so it should be settled.”
Owen Burrows’ Minzaal finally delivered on his juvenile promise when winning the Hackwood Stakes from Go Bears Go, his first victory since the Gimcrack in 2020.
“He’s come out of
Newbury great. You would still have another month until the Group One race at Haydock, so this fits in nicely. He was very strong at the end at Newbury so I don’t feel the extra half-furlong will hinder him at all,” said Burrows.
“As with any Group One it’s a very strong race, but fingers crossed he can be competitive. He’s been Group One-placed at two and Group One-placed at three, so it would be lovely if he can get his head in front for one.”
Progressing
Clive Cox sends the rapidly-improving Harry Three to France but is well aware this represents a huge leap in grade from a Listed race he won at Deauville last time out.
“His progressing quickly but this is a huge step up to the highest level from a Listed race,” said Cox.
“But, he’s full of confidence and he’s shown solid form on the track. He’s travelled and arrived early and the journey went well which I’m pleased about, given the complications that can arise with that at the moment.
“He has already been to France, so you’d hope it is one less thing to worry about. He’s growing up all the time and becoming more experienced but this is a huge step up — I think he deserves it, though.”