16:00 Haydock

Saturday 9 June 2018

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:45

Betway John Of Gaunt Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 1m 28.24s

(3)

D'bai^b,t¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 112| D

3/1

In form this year with a win over this distance in Meydan and most recently a very good second over 6f behind The Tin Man. This is his ideal trip and this rates a good opportunity for a first Group win.

Form: 65-1452

(8)

Dutch Connection²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: C Hills| OR: 113| D

6/4

Last four wins have come three times at this level and once in a Group 2 all at this distance. Likes quick ground and ran a big fourth in the Lockinge on his reappearance. Highest rated runner in the field and looks set for a big run.

Form: 6616P-4

(2)

Lahore⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: C G Cox| OR: 99| D

11/1

Won three from five for Clive Cox but was well behind Emmaus at Lingfield on his stable and seasonal debut. Better ground will help but plenty to find at this level.

Form: 11513-6

(5)

Larchmont Lad^p1²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 106| D

12/1

Won a Group 3 for Richard Hannon as a two-year-old but hard to think he'll be up to this level now after four starts for his new trainer. Third in a valuable York handicap last start so is racing at his peak but this requires more.

Form: 403D-43

(1)

Mr Owen²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D M Simcock| OR: 106| D

20/1

Best run for current stable came when second in the Winter Derby and probably wasn't far off that standard when fourth in a decent Listed contest at Windsor. Questionable though whether this drop in trip and the quick ground will suit.

Form: 1-2D584

(4)

Muntadab¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 100| CD

33/1

Arguably ran a career best when second in a decent Chester handicap last time but this represents a significant step up in class and has a fair bit to find with the leading contenders.

Form: 2510-62

(6)

Tabarrak²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Hannon| OR: 111| CD

3/1

Was second in the Sovereign Stakes at this level last year and has won two of his last three starts in Listed company. Quick ground and this trip suit and he should go close.

Form: 5921-61

Non-Runners

(7)

Emmaus⁴²

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: R Varian J: Andrea Atzeni

Forecasts

Dutch Connection (6/4), Emmaus (5/2), D'bai (3/1), Tabarrak (3/1), Lahore (11/1), Larchmont Lad (12/1), Mr Owen (20/1), Muntadab (33/1)

Four runners stand out in a good renewal of this Group 3. Emmaus is the one with most improvement to come but does have to handle the quicker conditions. Tabarrak was at his very best winning a Listed race over the C&D and gets similar conditions. Dutch Connection is the proven performer at this level and looks sure to go close but slight preference is for D'BAI who is probably still improving after running a top-class sprinter close last time and this step up in trip on quick ground is ideal.