UK Horse Racing Tips: Haydock

The pecking order among the current crop of three-year-old sprinters is working out nicely and it would come as no surprise to see DUE FOR LUCK stamp his authority on this race under top-weight. A close third in the 3YO 'Dash' at Epsom on Derby day, the son of Due Diligence has improved with each start and, off just a 1lb higher mark, can confirm the form with the reopposing Curious Rover (fifth) and Vince L'Amour (sixth). Seasonal debutant Fool's Gold is also noted now dropped in class.
Prediction : 1st Due For Luck 2nd Curious Rover 3rd Vince LAmour

Stepping up to this trip is an unknown factor for some of these and, with that in mind, it can pay to side with WILD WAVES, who supplemented a cosy win over 1m4f on Polytrack at Kempton with an even more eye-catching success over the extended 1m6f at Doncaster last time out. Not fully extended that day, the Andrew Balding-trained colt could be too progressive for the likes of Align The Stars and the lightly-raced Dramatic Star, who rate the pick of the opposition.
Prediction : 1st Wild Waves 2nd Align The Stars 3rd Dramatic Star

Tiffany is a typical improver from the Sir Mark Prescott yard who is highly likely to be a key player here. However, LADY BOBA, who was a short-head runner-up in the Lester Piggott Stakes over this C&D last month, is already more proven at this trip and shades preference given the winner got first run that day. Queen Of The Pride escapes a penalty for landing that Group 3 prize but might struggle to uphold the form given the selection is expected to have benefitted greatly from what was her seasonal debut.
Prediction : 1st Lady Boba 2nd Tiffany 3rd Queen Of The Pride

David O'Meara landed this contest two years ago with Get Shirty and the trainer can do so once more with EPIC POET, who runs in the same colours. The son of Lope De Vega showed marked improvement from first to second start for his new connections when runner-up in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot and this appeals as an ideal opportunity to return to winning ways. A comfortable scorer over this distance at Epsom on his penultimate outing, Relentless Voyager should be thereabouts, along with the returning La Yakel for the in-form William Haggas yard. Chillingham has threatened to win a handicap of this nature for some time and is another to consider, as well as the veteran Euchen Glen and Iron Lion.
Prediction : 1st Epic Poet 2nd Relentless Voyager 3rd La Yakel

HOFBURG has improved with each start in his career thus far and he has every chance on the back of a narrow reversal at Chepstow last month. A mark of 75 on his nursery handicap debut could prove lenient, and the son of Mehmas is preferred to Shazani, who has been handed an opening mark of 84 after scoring comfortably at Hamilton. Not beaten far at Brighton last time out, Gold Medallist looks well capable of breaking the maiden at this level.
Prediction : 1st Hofburg 2nd Shazani 3rd Gold Medallist

Recent Thirsk scorer Telemark and the hat-trick seeking Spirit Genie are on an upward curve and both must be seriously considered, but it is BILLYJOH who shades preference. Stepped up to 7f for the first time in the Buckingham Palace last month, it proved to be no problem as he finished second to the impressive English Oak. Given that he has scope for further progress at this trip, Michael Appleby's gelding can shrug off a 2lb rise in the handicap and go one better. Others to note include Mister Sketch and Oliver Show.
Prediction : 1st Billyjoh 2nd Telemark 3rd Spirit Genie

TREASURE TIME battled on gamely to score at Newmarket a fortnight ago and, given that he pulled well clear with the runner-up, a 4lb rise might underestimate the son of Time Test. There will be challengers aplenty, however, with recent C&D victor Pedro Valentino perhaps topping the list of dangers. Love Billy Boy finished fourth behind subsequent Britannia hero Mickley at Doncaster in May before going on to record a success of his own and he is another solid candidate today.
Prediction : 1st Treasure Time 2nd Pedro Valentino 3rd Love Billy Boy