15:35 Haydock

Saturday 8 June 2024

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

Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 1m 29.87s

(8)

Flight Plan²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: K R Burke| OR: 113| D

16/1

Smart colt but he resumed with a well-beaten last of 10 to Audience in Lockinge Stakes at Newbury (8f, good to firm) 21 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 07231-0

(2)

Bless Him^h²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 100| D

25/1

Smart gelding who resumed from 7 months off with a good third of 21 in Victoria Cup at Ascot (7f, good to firm) 28 days ago. This veteran is no forlorn hope.

Form: 40750-3

(11)

Jumby²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 105| CD

16/1

Winless since landing this 12 months ago but he wasn't seen to best effect when 18th in Victoria Cup at Ascot 28 days ago. No surprise to see him get back on track.

Form: 2959-90

(4)

Pogo²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 109| CD

11/2

C&D winner who comes here on the back of a good neck second of 6 to Shartash in listed race here (7f, good) 28 days ago. Ought to be thereabouts.

Form: 3904-42

(12)

Point Lynas^h²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 105| D

11/1

Smart gelding who posted a career best when winning 17-runner handicap at York (7.9f, good) 23 days ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 22024-1

(9)

Popmaster²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Saffie Osborne| T: E Walker| OR: 108| D

10/1

Smart and reliable gelding who landed 7f Newbury listed event last autumn. Recorded a good seventh of 21 in Victoria Cup at Ascot (7f, good to firm) 28 days ago. Solid form claims.

Form: 2212-67

(3)

Quinault^h,t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: S C Williams| OR: 101| D

9/1

Enjoyed a fine 2023 when a seven-time 6f/7f winner. Not seen to best effect when eighth in 7f Newmarket handicap on his return. Possibilities.

Form: 11310-8

(7)

Ramazan^v²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 107| CD

5/1

Big improver towards the end of last season and he took his form up a notch when runner-up in Victoria Cup at Ascot four weeks ago. Enters calculations.

Form: 9122-22

(10)

Tiber Flow²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 110| D

6/1

Smart gelding. 13/2, held when brought down 1f out in 1895 Duke of York Stakes at York (6f, good) 24 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 4213-5F

(1)

Witch Hunter²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 111| D

7/2

Bagged Buckingham Palace (Handicap) at Royal Ascot and Group 2 Hungerford at Newbury last summer. Not disgraced when third to Audience in Lockinge Stakes at Newbury (8f, good to firm) 21 days ago. One for the shortlist.

Form: 410-533

(5)

Sirona²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D Menuisier| OR: 103| D

12/1

Useful 7f scorer for Charlie Johnston in 2023. Returned with a solid third for her new stable in Chartwell Stakes at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) 28 days ago. This demands more, however.

Form: 28518-3

Non-Runners

(6)

Noble Dynasty³⁶

Weight: 9-2| Age: 6

T: C Appleby J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Witch Hunter (7/2), Ramazan (5/1), Noble Dynasty (5/1), Pogo (11/2), Tiber Flow (6/1), Quinault (9/1), Popmaster (10/1), Point Lynas (11/1), Sirona (12/1), Flight Plan (16/1), Jumby (16/1), Bless Him (25/1)

Charlie Appleby's NOBLE DYNASTY has more on his plate than when a stylish Newmarket handicap victor last month but this half-brother to the high-class miler Barney Roy remains with relatively few miles on the clock and is fancied to take the step up in class in his stride. Victoria Cup runner-up Ramazan is another who goes up in grade but rates next best ahead of the consistent Popmaster and last year's victor Jumby. Witch Hunter completes the shortlist in a cracking John of Gaunt.