UK Horse Racing Tips: Haydock

NO RETREAT has joined George Scott's yard since a successful stint in the UAE that saw him land a decent handicap on fast going at Meydan in February. The son of Siyouni has now been gelded and should prove competitive off his current mark, with the promise of much more to come. Great Chieftain resumed winning ways at Newmarket and could have a say in the outcome, despite a 6lb rise. Kindest Nation coped well with the quicker ground when third at Chester and has to be of interest too.
Prediction : 1st No Retreat 2nd Great Chieftain 3rd Kindest Nation

KING CASPER won at Newmarket in fine style on his reappearance. He looks a smart prospect on that evidence and Hugo Palmer's inmate is taken to defy a hike in the weights. Teroomm shrugged off a penalty to land a novice race at Thirsk last month. The son of Iffraaj should acquit himself well now handicapping for the first time, while Dixieland Blues is also worthy of respect on his handicap and turf debut after scoring at Southwell.
Prediction : 1st King Casper 2nd Teroomm 3rd Dixieland Blues

RUNNING LION is clear on official ratings and will be sharper for a recent comeback run at Newmarket. The five-year-old won the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes in good style on fast ground at Royal Ascot last summer and will prove hard to stop with a similar effort. A Listed winner at Newbury last term, Diamond Rain returns to the fray and is likely to prove competitive, while Tasmania is one to note on her second outing for Sir Mark Prescott having won in Listed company in France in 2023.
Prediction : 1st Running Lion 2nd Diamond Rain 3rd Tasmania

BIG MOJO (fourth) and Arizona Blaze (second) squared off in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint back in November. Both were on target in Group 3 contests last time, at Ascot and Chantilly respectively, but the former can come out on top this time round. Mill Reef winner Powerful Glory merits the utmost respect as he bids to defend his unbeaten record now returning from a 245-day absence. Ain't Nobody and Symbol Of Honour are just two others to consider in what looks to be a fiercely competitive renewal.
Prediction : 1st Big Mojo 2nd Arizona Blaze 3rd Powerful Glory

Rumstar produced a career-best performance when defeating She's Quality in the Palace House at Newmarket and Jonathan Portman's charge may have more in the tank, but it is AMERICAN AFFAIR who gets the vote. The five-year-old has been on an upward trajectory for some time now - his recent York triumph providing yet more evidence of that - and a first foray into Group company looks well worth exploring. Starlust struggled in the Hong Kong Sprint when last seen, but the Breeders' Cup hero is likely to be a real threat in these calmer waters.
Prediction : 1st American Affair 2nd Rumstar 3rd Starlust

Maelstrom has to be respected following two victories in April, but he will need to find further improvement now 6lb higher than for his C&D success. With that in mind, preference is for PERSIAN SPIRIT, who made a winning handicap/seasonal debut at Kempton recently and her rider's claim negates a 2lb rise. The Flying Seagull edges out Easy Peeler and Dan Tucker to be best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Persian Spirit 2nd Maelstrom 3rd The Flying Seagull

CABALLO DE MAR's winning run came to an end when second in the Chester Cup earlier in the month. However, that still a career-best effort and the progressive four-year-old can return to winning ways in this company, despite being 5lb higher. Align The Stars has disappointed the last twice but it is too soon to be writing him off, while Oxford Comma should not be underestimated on her handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Caballo De Mar 2nd Align The Stars 3rd Oxford Comma