UK Horse Racing Tips: Haydock

MIND THE CRACK improved for the step up in trip when striking over the extended 1m3f by five lengths at Lingfield last time and is expected to show up well off a revised mark of 83 on his handicap bow. Prejudice (fourth) was having his first start since October when conceding match-fitness to Alhaazm (second) and Gantier (third) over 1m3f at Newbury last month and could feasibly turn the tables on those rivals with that outing now under his belt.
Prediction : 1st Mind The Crack 2nd Prejudice 3rd Alhaazm

Willie Mullins' TRUE SELF signed off last season by landing back-to-back Listed races in the UK and made a winning return to action when defying a penalty in the same grade at Gowran last month. The six-year-old rates the one to beat on these terms, given she avoids a penalty in this Group 3 contest and has 8lb or more in hand of her rivals on official figures. Recent Goodwood second Klassique and the returning Highgarden, who is penalised for her Group 3 triumph at HQ in September, are also considered.
Prediction : 1st True Self 2nd Highgarden 3rd Klassique

The going is key to INTENSE ROMANCE's chance and if there is plenty of cut in the ground, Michael Dods' mare could be tough to stop. Conditions weren't riding soft enough for her on her seasonal return at Naas but she makes plenty of appeal on her back-to-back Listed victories at Ayr and Ascot last autumn. Danzeno bolted up in a 0-95 handicap at Nottingham and looks ready to be stepped back up in grade, while Tarboosh commands respect on these terms. The main danger, however, may be Stake Acclaim, who defied a mark of 101 at Newbury in April and could be ready for this step up in class.
Prediction : 1st Intense Romance 2nd Stake Acclaim 3rd Tarboosh

SAFE VOYAGE is three from three at this venue, winning both starts so far this season here. Any further ease in the ground is a positive and it was hard not to be impressed by the way he scored in Listed company, when getting the better of Mankib, last month. Larchmont Lad was only beaten a head in this 12 months ago but was disappointing in that aforementioned contest, therefore the main danger may be track-and-trip winner Breton Rock, who wasn't disgraced on his seasonal reappearance over 1m at Windsor and will be suited by the return to this distance.
Prediction : 1st Safe Voyage 2nd Breton Rock 3rd Larchmont Lad

GROWL came out fourth when involved in a blanket finish at Ripon earlier this week and could gain some quick compensation off the same mark, with any further ease in the ground in the seven-year-old's favour. Sir Maximilian made a winning reappearance at Doncaster and is respected, while David O'Meara won this last season and saddles two, Gymkhana and Cold Stare. Admirality struck on his first appearance for Roger Fell and is considered off a 3lb higher mark, while Dark Defender impressed when winning at Ripon and is another to take seriously, racing from the bottom end of the handicap.
Prediction : 1st Growl 2nd Dark Defender 3rd Sir Maximilian

Pendleton shed the maiden tag on his third career start and could prove to be a decent handicapper, but an opening mark of 82 looks harsh enough and he might already want stepping up to 7f. Phosphor was beaten at odds-on on the all-weather last time and uses blinkers now, but KODI KING might prove the best betting value for Karl Burke. The three-year-old posted a solid fourth-placed effort at Nottingham four weeks ago and an opening mark of 67 could underestimate him.
Prediction : 1st Kodi King 2nd Pendleton 3rd Phosphor

WISE COUNSEL landed his maiden at the fourth attempt at this venue and Clive Cox's inmate could prove to be a fair bit better than his handicap mark of 87. The Invincible Spirit colt was also third at this track behind French 2000 Guineas third San Donato and a subsequent Group 2 winner in Hello Youmzain, and the manner in which he won his final juvenile outing suggested the extra furlong would suit. Dutch Pursuit looked progressive on Tapeta over the winter, while Zip struggled at York last time, but ran respectably on heavy ground here last year and was a winner at Newcastle in January.
Prediction : 1st Wise Counsel 2nd Dutch Pursuit 3rd Zip