13:50 Haydock

Saturday 8 June 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:52

Betfred Passionate About Sport Achilles Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 1m 0.17s

(2)

Commanche Falls^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 110| C

11/1

Dual Stewards' Cup winner who made his mark outside of handicaps last season, winning 3 times in listed/Group 3 company. Shaped like he'd tighten up for his return in April's Abernant Stakes at Newmarket but he failed to go with much zest at York since. Eases back in class returned to 5f.

Form: 1412-80

(8)

Democracy Dilemma⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 105| D

9/1

Resumed winning ways at Chester in May and more than backed that up with a brace of cracking runner-up efforts in handicap company since. Career best needed on these terms but he clearly arrives in excellent order.

Form: 1-39122

(6)

Korker^p1¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: K R Burke| OR: 106| CD

14/1

Prone to missing the break but he's a smart handicapper, signing off 2023 in the perfect fashion at Windsor. Fourth-place finish at York in May flanked by lesser efforts and he could manage only sixth in this race a year ago. Cheekpieces on for the first time could be beneficial.

Form: 121-749

(3)

Live In The Dream¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Sean Kirrane| T: A West| OR: 115| D

5/4

Very speedy front runner who showed improved form when winning the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York last summer. Ended campaign with respectable fourth in Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita and reappearance second in the Temple Stakes over C&D a fortnight ago was really good. One to beat.

Form: 34144-2

(5)

Marshman²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 105| D

13/2

Group 3 winner in France last year and just about a career best when runner-up in listed company on reappearance in March. Hasn't come close to matching that form since, though. Tongue tie removed.

Form: 378-200

(7)

Tees Spirit²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Mia Nicholls| T: Adrian Nicholls| OR: 98| D

40/1

Prolific in 2022 and having drawn a blank last year (set a few stiff tasks) he returned with a bang when making all in handicap company at Newmarket. Brushed aside in Group 3 company back there next time but back on his game eased back in class when fifth at York. Tall order here.

Form: 209-185

(1)

Pink Crystal²⁰³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 103| D

10/1

Useful filly who gained a deserved breakthrough in listed company at Ayr in September. Excellent third in Group 3 company soon after before not being seen to best effect held up at Lingfield. Off since November but fitness no concern given yard she represents.

Form: 3/34136-

(4)

Believing^t⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: G Boughey| OR: 109

5/1

Smart filly who scored twice last spring (latterly a Group 3) and well suited by the strong pace when adding Pontefract listed event (6f) to her tally in August. Fine third in Sprint Cup (6f) here, too and probably best to overlook heavy defeat in a Group 1 at Sha Tin on return in April.

Form: 10130-9

Forecasts

Live In The Dream (5/4), Believing (5/1), Marshman (13/2), Democracy Dilemma (9/1), Pink Crystal (10/1), Commanche Falls (11/1), Korker (14/1), Tees Spirit (40/1)

It's not hard to envisage Nunthorpe-hero LIVE IN THE DREAM blitzing his rivals down in class on the back of an excellent runner-up effort in the Temple Stakes over C&D a fortnight ago. Believing will also find this easier than the Group 1 she contested in the spring and is dangerous in receipt of weight all round, with Korker likely to be sticking at it for place purposes.