15:33 Haydock

Saturday 31 May 2025

All13:1313:4814:2314:5815:3316:0816:43

Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:33 | Winning time: 1m 29.09s

(9)

Kinross²²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 116| BF| CD

10/1

Very smart and likeable performer who won this in 2021 and was a close third in 2022. He's heading to the veteran stage now but was still just about as good as ever last year, winning Group 2 at Doncaster in September. Has a 5 lb penalty for that but he should still be very competitive.

Form: 283127-

(1)

Alyanaabi²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 113| CD

3/1

Smart performer who ended 2024 on a low note but bounced back to his best to win a C&D listed race on reappearance 21 days ago. Should go well.

Form: 2/5549-1

(6)

Audience⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 122| D

15/8

Winner of Group 1 Lockinge at Newbury (1m) and Group 2 Lennox at Goodwood (7f) last year. Below par on 6f Meydan reappearance in March but better can be expected now returned to a more suitable trip.

Form: 15140-9

(7)

Grey's Monument²¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Davies| T: R M Beckett| OR: 109| CD

66/1

Better than ever last autumn, winning valuable Ascot handicap and Redcar listed race over this trip. Each-way claims on those efforts but Rossa Ryan sticks with stablemate Kinross.

Form: 303116-

(12)

Kikkuli²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 108| D

12/1

Quickly developed into a smart performer last season, notably just denied in the Jersey at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm). Respectable 2 lengths fourth of 5 to Alyanaabi in C&D listed race on reappearance but no reason why he'll turn the tables, particularly from the outside stall.

Form: 22646-4

(3)

Mount Athos⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: J Tate| OR: 108| D

25/1

Listed winner on AW in France last autumn and returned with a smart handicap performance to win at Kempton (7f) in March. Subsequent Thirsk second shows he's fully effective on turf but suspicion he might find at least the odd one too strong here.

Form: 5716-12

(10)

Quinault^h,t⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Marco Ghiani| T: S C Williams| OR: 107| D

25/1

Smart gelding who won a trio of 6f listed races last season. Not in quite the same some in 2 outings in the Middle East this year. Only sixth in this 12 months ago and others are preferred again.

Form: 1133-37

(8)

Room Service²⁰³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 109| D

28/1

Did well last autumn, running well under big weight in a strong 6f York handicap before winning listed event at Doncaster (6f, heavy) the following month. Below par in last year's Greenham on his previous attempt at 7f but it's too soon to suggest he won't prove effective at 7f.

Form: 761021-

(4)

Spycatcher⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 111| D

20/1

Bagged a 6f Group 3 at Deauville last summer and returned to win a 6f Doncaster listed race in March. Has winning form over this trip too. Should be competitive.

Form: 61056-1

(2)

Ten Bob Tony²⁰³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: E Walker| OR: 108| D

5/1

Smart effort when second in a 7f Longchamp Group 3 last September but unable to repeat that form in 2 subsequent outings in 2024. Will need a big career best to make a winning reappearance here but William Buick has been booked.

Form: 184245-

(11)

Volterra²³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Shane Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 103| D

14/1

Firmly back on the up at the end of last season, finishing the campaign with a win in the valuable Challenge Cup (handicap) at Ascot (7f, good) in October. Appeals as one who could make his mark outside of handicaps this year.

Form: 1/10021-

(5)

Tiger Bay²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: T E Whelan| T: H Candy| OR: 104| D

20/1

Much improved to win a 6f Newmarket listed race on her reappearance 4 weeks ago. Successful over 7f earlier in her career but she'll need more again to follow up in this strong listed race.

Form: 22236-1

Forecasts

Audience (15/8), Alyanaabi (3/1), Ten Bob Tony (5/1), Kinross (10/1), Kikkuli (12/1), Volterra (14/1), Spycatcher (20/1), Tiger Bay (20/1), Quinault (25/1), Mount Athos (25/1), Room Service (28/1), Grey's Monument (66/1)

AUDIENCE escapes a penalty for his Group 1 and 2 wins last season and should take a bit of stopping if a return to 7f sees him recapture his best form. Alyanaabi was right back on song to win a course listed race on his reappearance and is feared most ahead of the classy Kinross, who has a 5 lb penalty for his Group 2 win last autumn.