Thunder forecast to win at Haydock
Thunder Legend looks the one to beat tomorrow in the Gero Kolorseal Handicap at Haydock for the powerful combination of William Haggas and Tom Marquand.
Having got off the mark at the third time of asking for Hugo Palmer last season, he went to Haggas when Palmer made the move to Cheshire.
He has since had three outings for his new handler and has been placed on all of them, all from a mark of 84. While that suggests the handicapper has him where he wants him, last time out he chased home the progressive Outgate at Chester who is now rated 98 and has been the subject of interest from abroad.
There is nothing of that class in this and Haggas has reached for first-time cheekpieces which may eke out a length or two of improvement.
Haggas also applies firsttime headgear to Soulcombe in the Selecta Systems 40th Anniversary Handicap.
He is harder to make a case form, but as he is by Frankel and out of the Group Onewinning mare Ribbons he is given one more chance now handicapping.
In three starts he has been ultimately well beaten but a mark of 68, a gelding operation and blinkers will mean after this there are very few options left. It would be no surprise at all to see Kevin Ryan’s Captain Winters take a big step forward from his debut when he runs in the Tuffx Glass EBF Novice Stakes.
Unlike days of old when Ryan’s juveniles used to be cherry-ripe first time, he now plays the patient game and they tend to improve markedly for a first run.
There was also plenty to like about his first effort at Haydock when fourth to a Godolphin odds-on shot over six furlongs but this step up in trip.
Rogue Star may have let down favourite-backers at Sandown but did little wrong and was beaten just over a length. He is out again in the Supporting Stable Staff Week Handicap and it looks a slight drop in class at Yarmouth.
Talking of drops in grade Sunningdale faces a big one in the James Cowper Kreston Centenary Novice Stakes at Newbury.
Paul and Oliver Cole’s juvenile was a springer in the market for the Chesham at Royal Ascot but failed to make the grade.
He had shown promise on debut over five furlongs, though, and having seemingly failed to see out seven at this stage of his career, this race over six should prove spot on.
Harry and Roger Charlton’s Noya is of definite interest in the RFE International Fillies’ Handicap.
Off the mark second time out at Kempton in April, she was then beaten less than two lengths by Clitheroe trying to give her 7lb. The winner is now rated 93.