Duke worth look for Silver Bowl success

Cole’s colt has high hopes on handicap bow

DUKE OF HAZZARD can be rewarded for some excellent efforts in classy company by defying top-weight in the Amix Silver Bowl at Haydock today.

His form in finishing fifth to Persian King in the French 2000 Guineas merits close inspection, while he had also run third to Andre Fabre’s superstar on his seasonal debut.

Paul Cole’s colt ended the last campaign winning a Listed contest over a mile at Deauville after performing with credit at top venues such as York, Goodwood, Ascot and Newmarket. His first venture into handicaps looks set to be a winning one.

All eyes will be on BATTAASH in the Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes, as the Charlie Hills-trained sprinter bids to take this race for the second year running on the way to the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The five-year-old should have too much dash for the opposition.

CALYX will be all the rage to bolster his claims for the Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting with victory in the Armstrong Aggregates Sandy Lane Stakes.

Having won the Coventry on the second of only two starts as a youngster, the John Gosden-trained colt trotted up on his return back at Ascot. He can confirm he will be a serious force in the sprint division.

DUBAI LEGACY’S only defeat in four career starts came in the Coventry, and he is an obvious contender for the £100,000 Betfair Each Way Edge Handicap at Goodwood.

Saeed bin Suroor’s colt was 10th of 23 behind Calyx at Royal Ascot, but has an otherwise unblemished record.

He won over six and a half furlongs in a Doncaster novice on debut, followed his Coventry effort by landing short odds over six at Epsom and returned at seven this month with victory in his first handicap on the all-weather at Newcastle.

THUNDERING BLUE can benefit from a significant drop in grade to land the Listed spoils in the Betfair Best Odds On ITV Races Festival Stakes.

David Menuisier’s stable star enjoyed Group Two success at York last summer, for which he is penalised, and he was also placed in the Group One Juddmonte International.

Globe-trotting in Stockholm, Canada and Japan probably took its toll at the end of last year, while his reappearance at Sandown, though disappointing, will have brought him on plenty.

FELIX MENDELSSOHN made a winning debut over fences at Perth earlier this month, and can double up in the KOSB Novices’ Handicap Chase at Kelso tomorrow.

Running over the bigger obstacles could well be his game, judged by the way he took to them to beat Little Stevie by three and a quarter lengths having failed to strike over hurdles.

The eight-year-old, trained by Stuart Coltherd, is towards the bottom of the handicap and could have the scope to do better.

CULTRAM ABBEY showed he retains plenty of ability at the age of 12 when successful at the borders venue seven weeks ago, and can repeat the trick at the course in the Ayrton Castle Handicap Chase.

The Nicky Richards-trained gelding seems to reserve his best form for the track, having won there in December and then being pulled up in two races elsewhere before making a triumphant return.