Timeform provide an overview of the key things to note from around the tracks on Saturday.
Haggas at the double at Shergar Cup
William Haggas is a trainer to follow at the Shergar Cup, particularly with his well-fancied horses, and he could get a double up at Ascot on Saturday.
From his seven winners at the Shergar Cup, none have returned an SP higher than 9/2, and the Newmarket handler has a couple of likely qualifiers this weekend.
First up is Thunder Call in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (15:20) over six furlongs, the son of Pinatubo 1lb clear at the top of Timeform’s ratings with a ‘p’ attached to his number, too.
The three-year-old caught the eye at Newmarket last time when doing his best work at the finish and this stiffer track promises to suit.
In the following Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (15:55) Haggas’ Hoseki is second in on the Timeform ratings on 98p, but the Saxon Warrior filly has the Horse in Focus and sectional flags on her profile, as well.
The progressive three-year-old won over the Shergar Cup Classic course and distance last time and while she went up 5lb for that victory, she showed a good attitude that day and remains one to keep firmly on side.
Better call Sall at Haydock
It’s not all about the Shergar Cup on Saturday as Haydock Park are racing again following ‘hole-gate’ that saw the track close its doors for over two months following the meeting on May 23.
While Friday evening’s returning fixture was low-key things move up a notch on Saturday where the Group 3 Betway Rose Of Lancaster Stakes over 1m2f (14:25) is the highlight of a seven-race card.
Punters will be faced with a banker or bust situation here when it comes to the likely favourite Sallaal, currently trading at around 10/11 at the time of writing, and we think Roger Varian’s improving son of Frankel is worth backing.
He’s 6lb clear of his rivals on Timeform ratings with a Horse of Focus flag, as well, and he proved he can cope with a small-field situation when landing the Gala Stakes at Sandown last time.
He’s looking more versatile since moving up in trip after being gelded and with the promise of more to come he’s taken to see off his four rivals on his first crack at Group level.
Song looks a Sweet (large) P
Finally, Charlie Appleby landed the Group 3 Newsells Park Stud Sweet Solera Stakes (13:55 Newmarket) last year with Dance To The Music and he could go back-to-back in the race with Graceful Song.
Nuit D’Eclair tops the Timeform ratings here but Graceful Song has the most potential after coming out of her Newmarket debut success with a rating of 97P and she is taken to take the step up in grade in her stride.
The Dubawi filly was well backed on debut and ran out a comfortable winner, well on top at the finish in the style of a horse that will turn into at least a useful performer.
Her lack of experience is a minor concern with the likelihood of progression far outweighing that and against these rivals she can maintain her 100% record under Billy Loughnane.
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