Top tipster Rory Paddock takes a loook at the this weekend’s televised horse racing, and gives his tips for the races you can watch...
3:35 Haydock - John Of Gaunt Stakes
We finish tomorrow's mammoth nine race compendium of action on ITV this afternoon with a Group 3 contest over seven furlongs. Former winners include the likes of Main Aim who won the race twice as well as the well loved Pastoral Player who claimed the prize back in 2011.
Powerhouse owners Godolphin have owned the winner of the race two out of the past two years however don't have a representative this time around.
Nevertheless, I still feel it'll be won by a Dubai based owner in the form of Hamdan Al Maktoum. The wealthy owner will see jockey Jim Crowley adorned in his infamous blue and white colours as he climbs aboard Mankib.
The William Haggas-trained runner finished second behind tomorrow's likely favourite Safe Voyage at Haydock last month. The John Quinn runner deserves his spot as favourite but the tables can certainly be reversed here.
Mankib only lost by just over a length but was giving weight away that day and was making his seasonal reappearance. With the cobwebs well and truly dusted after his latest outing and now racing off level weights it's hard to see past the exciting five-year-old.
Stalwarts Breton Rock and Suedois deserve a whole heap of respect and if either returned to anything like their best they'd be hard to beat. With the rain set to continue to fall Breton Rock will have conditions to suit and although he's at the latter stages of his career (now nine years old) he could be a decent bet for punters looking for each way value - however I just feel he's open to younger legs.
Another runner that is bound to love the underfoot conditions is Snazzy Jazzy who makes his seasonal return. He was in fantastic form as a two-year-old and won a Group 3 in France when last seen - he certainly has the ability to feature prominently in a race of this ilk.
The Ayr Silve Cup winner has a touch of class and may look over-priced at double figure odds. The downside however is that he's never won on returning to action and he may well need this run. If however he's fit, firing and ready to go I couldn't see him outside of the top three.
Sir Dancealot has competed at a higher level than this but hasn't finished better than 5th in his last five runs. He's competed in Group 1 company on all of those five appearances and a drop back to Group 3 level is definitely going to be of benefit.
The last time the five-year-old competed in a Group 3 race he produced a resounding win but the likely soft ground is a major concern and may well be enough to put pay to his chances.
Tip: MANKIB (WIN)
ITV Racing:
1:25pm Beverley - Qaysar (E/W)
1:45pm Haydock - Alhaazm (WIN)
2pm Beverley - Execlusive (WIN)
2:10pm Newmarket - Flashcard (E/W)
2:25pm Haydock - Pilaster (E/W)
2:45pm Newmarket - Spirit Ridge (E/W)
Bets Of The Day:
Dean Kilbryde - 15:35 Haydock - SAFE VOYAGE (WIN)
Chris Connolly - 16:10 Haydock - CONFESSIONAL (WIN)
Matt Polley - 16:45 Haydock - PENDLETON (WIN)
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