Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador Hollie Doyle breaks down four major handicaps at Ascot this Saturday, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing, and also highlights the two headline races at Haydock and Kempton. ALMERAQ is on a redemption mission after a disappointing run in the July Cup, but he still has a chance to capture his second Group 1 of the year in the Betfair Sprint Cup (3.40) at Haydock Park on Saturday. The fast, undulating surface at Newmarket may have been a factor in his previous loss, yet my husband Tom Marquand says his mount is feeling fresh and eager for a race that should suit his style perfectly. The Shadwell colt matured dramatically in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and has shown a clear affinity for softer ground.
If the going at Haydock turns out to be on the softer side, it could unlock his best performance and give him the edge he needs to clinch the title. Clive Cox’s colt Coppull impressed when he stretched out to seven furlongs to win the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury, and he arrives at Haydock in robust health. He looks like a future Group 1 winner, but the soft ground he has not yet experienced could be a wildcard that either propels him forward or holds him back, depending on how he copes with the change in surface. The step up to seven furlongs also suits another William Haggas horse, THUNDER CALL, who will reappear in the Schweppes Handicap (1.40) at Ascot on Saturday.
He displayed a strong finishing kick in the Shergar Cup Sprint at Ascot last month and, after a thorough veterinary check, is now fit enough to take advantage of the 93-pound allowance under Cieren Fallon. Meanwhile, the Kempton meeting offers a serious test for Constitution Hill, while the racing community mourns the passing of dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs, who died at the age of ten. I also have confidence in Michael Dods’ gelding Northern Express, a horse that loves the Haydock track and is carrying only two pounds more than when he won over seven furlongs at York two starts ago.
It seems unlikely that he would travel from Darlington without a genuine chance to make an impact. Heyzoom, now gelded after a respectable fourth place behind St Leger hopeful Enceladus in the King George V Stakes at the Royal Meeting, looks poised to perform well in the Tote.co.uk Money Back 2nd Handicap (2.10) at Ascot. His recent form suggests he can handle the competition and the distance.
On the other hand, Owen Burrows’ three‑year‑old faces a tough opponent in DECADE OF TIME, a horse that has been in superb form this season and is eager for the step up to a 12‑furlong test. Since his novice win, Jack Channon’s colt has posted two solid runs in 10‑furlong handicaps at Newmarket and Goodwood, and he should be able to cope even if the weather brings rain.
At longer odds, Andrew Balding’s improving Kameko colt Cape Fear broke away from his rivals at Windsor twelve days ago and could still make a splash if the race isn’t too far ahead of his optimum distance. Speed is the name of the game for reliable sprinter HAVANA BLUE, who should benefit from a fast pace in the Club 26 Handicap (4.35) at Ascot. Julie Camacho’s gelding, after a string of second‑place finishes, finally found a front‑running position on the July Course at Newmarket and remains well‑handicapped with a rating of 85.
I am also willing to give Fast Track Harry another look after a lackluster effort in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last month. He proved his worth with a second place to Amazing Journey over the same course and distance in July, and a wet track would suit the northern‑based Golden Mind, who is well‑handicapped on last year’s slow‑ground form. West Acre has been disappointing of late, but his weight continues to drop, so it would be encouraging to see him rediscover his old sparkle from a rating of 99 in the Tote.co.uk For Racing & Sports Betting Handicap (5.10) at Ascot. My personal pick for the winner, however, is Ed Bethell’s filly FLUORESCENCE.
Her victory over Badri at Pontefract earned extra credit when Badri subsequently placed in the Listed Beverley Bullet. As a daughter of Twilight Son, she performed admirably in Listed company over the summer, and her new rating of 97 should not be a barrier in this ordinary handicap, especially if the ground holds up on the faster side of good. Turning to Kempton, the highlight of Saturday’s card is the William Hill September Stakes (2.50), which presents a solid opportunity for the classy GETHIN to return to winning ways.
Owen Burrows’ colt, who has taken on rivals such as Ombudsman and Constitution River since his Listed win on the Polytrack earlier this year, should find the race less demanding than his recent outings. Godolphin’s Tornado Alert, a Group 1 winner in Germany last season, should not be underestimated.
He will be keen to sharpen up after a close fourth in top‑class company abroad, while Pride Of Arras poses a serious threat if he can build on his impressive effort behind Item in the York Stakes. Finally, Constitution Hill will have his fan club out in full force for what is a steep step up in class.
This will be a demanding test of his abilities on the flat against seasoned stakes horses, but I remain hopeful that he can keep his dream alive with a bold, determined performance. Overall, the weekend offers a rich tapestry of storylines: redemption for ALMERAQ, potential breakthroughs for Coppull and Northern Express, and a chance for under‑dogs like FLUORESCENCE and West Acre to shine.
With the ground conditions likely to play a pivotal role, trainers and jockeys will be watching closely, and I’ll be tuning in with Tom to see which horse can clinch the Sprint Cup title and add another chapter to their racing legacy.