Prices are now up on the two feature races at Haydock on Saturday, the Lancashire Oaks and the Old Newton Cup. The latest going reports suggest that it is good, good to firm in places but we can take nothing for granted after last week’s Northumberland Plate fiasco. When was the last time you had horses being withdrawn from the same race because it was too firm and too soft!
Assuming we avoid both extremes, we should be set for some excellent racing. I have mixed feelings about Opinion because I had tipped his stable companion Rye House at Ascot. It was a bit galling to see Ryan Moore switch to Opinion when Rye House was withdrawn and then proceed to bolt up.
Moore is on duty at Sandown on Saturday so Keiren Fallon has been provisionally booked for the ride. At the time of writing he is not yet a confirmed starter but I have about as much luck backing Fallon as I do with Jamie Spencer (i.e. none) so I’m inclined to pass him over. Only Camborne stands between Opinion and top weight and I’m not convinced that it was the greatest handicap ever run at Royal Ascot.
Behind Opinion were Ustura, Blue Surf, Hanoverian Baron and Highland Castle. You can forget the finishing position of Highland Castle as he never saw daylight at any stage. Luca Cumani loves preparing one for this race but I’m not sure that Franciscan fits his usual profile. It is true that he ran his best race for a long time at Carlisle last time but it was still only Carlisle. I think I will pass this race over until running plans are confirmed.
The one that interests me in the Lancashire Oaks is Godolphin’s Albasharah. She reeled off three victories before being pitched into a competitive handicap at the Royal meeting. She was sent off as favourite despite a 16lb hike in the weights and may well have won if she had got any sort of run in the race. De Sousa has been riding well but, for whatever reason, Albasharah never had a chance and did well to stay on strongly into fifth. This represents another step up in class but she could be good enough.
Wild Coco and Songbird are not yet certain runners from Lady Cecil’s stable and Banoffee didn’t settle properly in the Oaks or at Chester and may struggle to last home. Moment In Time and Midnight Soprano also have chances but I’ll take a chance on Albasharah at 6-1.
Lancashire Oaks
Albasharah 6-1 BetVictor
