UK Horse Racing Tips: Haydock

WITCH HUNTER came within a whisker of successfully defending his Hungerford Stakes crown, going down by a nose to Tiber Flow in a blanket finish at Newbury. The better the race, the better he seemingly performs - his Lockinge third is evidence of that - but he can still break his duck for the season on the slight drop in class. Regal Reality has also been running well without winning this term and has been third in this contest twice before. Cicero's Gift and Clove Hitch both disappointed last time, but can't be written off just yet.
Prediction : 1st Witch Hunter 2nd Regal Reality 3rd Ciceros Gift

MASTER BUILDER belied his inexperience to stay on into third in the Melrose, with Too Bossy For Us and Spaceport behind him. That was such a promising handicap debut for a gelding having only his fourth start and there should be a lot more to come. Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy have teamed up to claim this prize twice, so Contacto commands attention after pipping a subsequent winner at Hamilton. Walter Hartright has progressed at a rate of knots this summer and might find even more for the extra two furlongs.
Prediction : 1st Master Builder 2nd Contacto 3rd Walter Hartright

Divine Comedy is better than ever at the age of six, backing up her Ascot Stakes second with a solid York run, although her performance on the Knavesmire wasn't quite as good as ONEFORTHEGUTTER's. Ian Williams' stayer surpassed expectations to make the frame in the Ebor, apparently impressing Ryan Moore enough for him to take the ride here. Epic Poet was only a length behind him so has to be feared, while any further rain would bring The Goat right into the equation. Grand Alliance and Caliyza are a couple of interesting class droppers on the comeback trail.
Prediction : 1st Oneforthegutter 2nd Divine Comedy 3rd Epic Poet

American Affair and Jer Batt are honours even from their recent encounters and they can figure prominently again, despite both being held off their current mark last time out. However, it's likely that recent Goodwood winner SHAGRAAN is open to a touch more progression and Mick Appelby's three-year-old shades the vote on that basis. Well supported when not beaten far over the extended 5f on Juddmonte day at York, dropping back to the minimum trip should be ideal and, with Oisin Murphy booked, compensation can be gained here.
Prediction : 1st Shagraan 2nd American Affair 3rd Jer Batt

A gallant runner-up in the July Cup, Swingalong fared best out of those who clashed in Newmarket's summer highlight but whether he can uphold the form with Inisherin (fifth) is debatable, given he got first run. The latter, who was imperious when landing the Sandy Lane over C&D in May before landing the Commonwealth Cup, can be forgiven one bad day at the office and could very easily bounce back. However, JASOUR (sixth) was only a neck behind Kevin Ryan's colt last time and has very little to find to steal the limelight here. Flora Of Bermuda is another appealing each-way option.
Prediction : 1st Jasour 2nd Inisherin 3rd Swingalong

All of these are open to progression and this should be informative. However, the hat-trick seeking LINWOOD makes plenty of appeal and, having overcome a troubled passage to justify odds-on favouritism in a decent novice race over a mile at Ripon last month, the son of Inns Of Court is another attractive proposition for a yard that won the 2020 running of this race. Eternal Elixir and C&D winner Hawksbill are other notable contenders, while Godolphin's expensive recruit Age Of Gold is also feared now he steps up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Linwood 2nd Eternal Elixir 3rd Hawksbill

Pearl Eye won last year's renewal and can feature again on his favoured going, but it looks worth sticking with the progressive ARKHALIA FLYNN in this. The winner of three of his last four outings, the three-year-old may not have finished improving yet having returned a ready winner on the soft ground at Windsor last time. Asteverdi won at Sandown in June and is not easily discounted off her current mark, while Red Hat Eagle may prove best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Arkhalia Flynn 2nd Pearl Eye 3rd Asteverdi

KELPIE GREY showed good progress early in the season when landing a hat-trick and last month's respectable fourth at Carlisle suggests there is more to come. Jim Goldie's inmate should get a good tow round from the front-running Good Morning Alex, who wasn't at his best on testing ground last time but is not out of this. Utilis finally came good at Thirsk, when fitted with a tongue-tie and blinkers for the first time, and the headgear remains in place.
Prediction : 1st Kelpie Grey 2nd Good Morning Alex 3rd Utilis