Horse Racing Preview Saturday May 10th - Ascot, Haydock, Lingfield, Nottingham, Hexham, Thirsk and Warwick

May 10, 2008

RACING PREVIEW – SATURDAY MAY 10th - Click here for the best odds on all today’s races

ASCOT

2:20 Totesport Victoria Cup (Heritage Handicap), Class 2, 7f

A typically competitive, 25-runner renewal. Ed Dunlop’s Al Khaleej steps up in class after an impressive Kempton win on his seasonal bow. The opposition includes the progressive King of Dixie, Michael Jarvis’ We’ll Come and Barry Hills’ Zaahid. Jim Goldie saddles two, Dhaular Dhar and Middlemarch. It seems unlikely that the trip from Glasgow is just for a day out. David Barron also makes a long trip with Skhilling Spirit, who looks overpriced at 20/1.

Betting: 11/2 Al Khaleej, 6/1 We’ll Come (both Stan James), 9/1 King of Dixie (Bet365), 12/1 Giganticus, Dabber’s Ridge, Presumptive, 14/1 Zaahid, 16/1 Laa Rayb (all Stan James), Fishforcompliments (Totesport), 20/1 Skhilling Spirit (Stan James), 25/1 BAR.

HAYDOCK

2:00 totepool Swinton Handicap Hurdle, Grade 3, Class 1

A typically open renewal, featuring Scottish Champion Hurdle winner and top weight Border Castle, Tony Martin’s Leg Spinner and Punchestown Festival scorer, I Hear A Symphony. Jim Goldie saddles progressive youngster La Vecchia Scuola, a dual-winner on consecutive days at Ayr. Has taken a hike in the weights as a result, but her form stands inspection, and should go well in a competitive race. Looks massively overpriced at 22/1 with Ladbrokes.

Betting: 6/1 Leg Spinner, 10/1 Blue Bajan, 14/1 Mamlook, Katies Tutor, 16/1 I’m So Lucky, (all Ladbrokes), 16/1 Chantaco (Totesport), 18/1 Raise Your Heart (Stan James) 20/1 I Hear a Symphony (Bet365), French Saulaie, Pearl King (both Paddy Power), 22/1 La Vecchia Scuola (Ladbrokes) 25/1 BAR.

LINGFIELD

2:40 Totesport 0800 221 221 Oak Trial Stakes, Listed, Class 1, 1m 3f 106yds

Aidan O’Brien’s Ice Queen showed improved form on her third start, running out a comfortable winner of a Cork maiden. The bare form looks moderate, but she would not be the first Ballydoyle filly to improve significantly. However, her tail-swishing antics are worrying. Ralph Beckett (who won the race last year) fields Look Here, who looked a filly with a future when beating recent Chester winner, Doctor Freemantle, in a Salisbury maiden in October.

Betting Forecast: 9/4 Ice Queen, 3/1 Look Here, 5/1 Jazz Jam, 7/1 Mischief Making, 10/1 Amanjena, 12/1 Classic Remark, Miracle Seeker, 16/1 Presbyterian Nun, 20/1 Ever Rigg.

3:10 Totesport. Com Derby Trial Stakes, Group 3, 1m 3f 106 yds

Curtain Call confirmed his well-being with a recent 6L success in a 3-runner Nottingham Class 2 race over 10f. Bookmakers’ reaction to cut him to 7-1 (from generally 10-1) for Epsom seems an overreaction, given that he was well clear in the official ratings. Alessandro Volta was well beaten at a short price at Leopardstown. However, suffered from a slipping saddle, and, like most of his stablemates, should improve for the run. Campanologist showed great resilience to prevail in a Newmarket Listed race. Clearly improving with experience.

Betting Forecast: Evs Curtain Call, 3/1 Campanologist, 7/2 Alessandro Volta, 9/2 By Command, 12/1 King of Rome, 16/1 Alan Devonshire

NOTTINGHAM

3:25 ToteTenToFollow.co.uk Kilvington Fillies Stakes, Listed, Class 1, 6f 15y

Henry Cecil’s Crystany may have been unlucky at Newmarket, missing the break and denied a clear run. Can improve for the run, but steps up in class. James Given’s Morinqua was a good winner of a Bath Listed race. The trainer suggested Haydock’s Group 2 Temple Stakes as a likely entry, so must go well here.

Betting Forecast: 11/4 Cartimandua, 9/2 Dubai Princess, 11/2 Crystany, 7/1 Mocha Java, 9/1 Morinqua, 10/1 Ripples Maid, 12/1 Broken Applause, Manzila, 20/1 Day By Day, Tia Mia, 25/1 Woodnook, 33/1 Feelin Foxy, Reel Gift.

HEXHAM

3:35 Fawdington Suzuki Handicap Chase, Class5, 3m 1f

A moderate contest, best left alone from a punting perspective. True Temper’s recent 4th at Kelso reads reasonably in the context of this race. Had every chance, but couldn’t quicken from the third last, but was well clear of the rest.

Betting: Prices will be available from most online bookmakers from 10 a.m. on Saturday.

THIRSK

7:10 Calverts Carpets Handicap, Class 5, 1m 4f

Maneki Neko, Collette’s Choice and Punta Galera all arrive in decent form and the contest may well rest between them.

Betting Prices will be available from most online bookmakers from noon on Saturday.

WARWICK

7:25 HGB Construction Ltd. Handicap, Class 4, 7f 26y

Alan Swinbank’s Goodbye, along with Clive Cox’s Den’s Gift (ridden by Richard Hughes), seem likely to go well.

Betting Forecast: 4/1 Goodbye, 5/1 Phluke, 6/1 Alfresco, Golden Desert, 7/1 Pendulum Star, 8/1 Den´s Gift, 10/1 Prince Of Thebes, 12/1 Carcinetto, Compton´s Eleven, 14/1 Harare, 33/1 Sheriff´s Silk, 66/1 Thabaat

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds

Written by Max Hammond · Filed Under Horse Racing, Royal Ascot