Not a lot of form to work with here, with only three of the eight declared having raced before, but an interesting contest nonetheless. See our full race preview and selection ahead of the 2.30pm at Haydock.
IN SUMMARY: Value is always the name of the game in this sport and the unraced DEECIDER (Each Way) is reported to be working well at home for trainer Tom Dascombe and may be smart enough to pick off stable companion Ginbar close home. The booking of Silvestre de Sousa suggests that they think he has a chance and, if that is the case, then his price makes him good each way value here.
1 CAVALRY REGIMENT – John Quinn’s son of Lethal Force was all at sea on his debut when a combination of heavy ground and the lack of experience saw him finish sixth of nine at Nottingham. He seems sure to improve with that run under his belt and for the better surface, yet how much is impossible to quantify. The yard are going well enough, with five winners in the last two weeks from 31 runners (16%) and a very small level stakes profit (50p). He is, nevertheless, difficult to fancy on what we have seen so far.
2 DEECIDER – After costing €26,000 at the sales as a yearling, connections will be looking forward to the debut of their Captain Gerrard colt who should handle the going based on his sire’s form. Related to five different winners rated up to 88, he looks well bought at the price. Even though some see him as the stable’s second string with Richard Kingscote on board Ginbar, the booking of Silvestre de Sousa is an inspired jockey choice if that is the case.
3 DESERT DOCTOR – At 115,000 guineas he cost a pretty penny at the sales and, as a half-brother to Gracious John who won seven races at up to Listed class, he is bred to be fairly decent. Jamie Spencer is booked to ride which seems to be positive. Trainer Ed Walker is top of the stats in this particular race, with a 23% strike rate in the last fortnight which indicates that he has to be of some interest, despite making his debut.
4 FINNION FOX – One of the better of the raced contenders after finishing fourth to Highest Rank at Carlisle over this trip on a similar surface last month. He kept on at one pace that day and looks the sort who may do better in seven furlong nurseries once handicapped after today. He isn’t out of this by any means for shrewd trainer Tim Easterby and the market may well be the best guide to his chances this afternoon.
5 GINBAR – The form choice here after finishing a neck second on his debut at Chester over five furlongs which he followed with another second at Nottingham and a three length third at Pontefract – all over the minimum trip. He steps up a furlong today for the first time which may well bring further improvement. As a son of Kodiac, there is no reason to think that the cut in the going will be against him, making him a serious player for trainer Tom Dascombe and jockey Richard Kingscote.
6 KNIGHTED – Well bought at €45,000, the son of Sir Prancealot should go well here despite his lack of experience and could well get involved in the finish. Trainer Kevin Ryan can get them ready first time out, so there are no issues there. That said, as a half-brother to maiden winner Mandeville he is hardly bred in the purple and will need to be better than his sister if he wants to win here.
7 SAPPER – Possibly the Ed Walker second string with Jamie Spencer on board Desert Doctor, but an interesting contender nonetheless with Pat Cosgrave in the saddle. Bought back at the sales at 18,000 guineas, he is a son of Sepoy and a half-brother to five time winner Burtonwood. He is, however, bred to be at his best on a much faster surface and may be best watched first time out as he gains racecourse experience.
8 SNAFFLED – One paced when never really involved at Nottingham to finish a stone cold last of eight over five furlongs, beaten 25 lengths at the line at odds of 14/1. That was back in April and the son of Camacho hasn’t been seen since. He arrives here with an awful lot to prove, but must surely be better than that run made him seem.