ITV Racing Tips: Kinross to double up for Ralph Beckett at Haydock
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A week out from the Derby, the TV action is nearer championship than premier league standard despite being shown on ITV’s main channel this weekend.
Nevertheless, there are eight races shared among Haydock, Beverley and Chester including two Group races.
July Cup runner-up Dragon Symbol, first past the post in last year’s Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot but demoted for interference, lowers his sights to Listed level in the opening TV race from Haydock.
But the main highlights are the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes and John Of Gaunt Stakes, the outcomes of which may determine Royal Ascot objectives.
Coverage begins on ITV from 13:25 and we have previewed the three most significant races of the day in our ITV Racing Tips.
It could be a rewarding trip to the northwest for Ralph Beckett who may have found a prime opportunity for the lightly raced Rock Eagle. The seven-year-old has only run 13 times and never managed more than four starts in a season.
This race will be his first since April last year. He has been very consistent and while he was racing over 2m most recently, he also has winning form at a mile and a half. On his most recent turf starts he finished fifth in the Cesarewitch and before that just over three lengths behind Trueshan at Salisbury.
Noon Star, the beautifully bred daughter of Galileo out of Midday, will command plenty of support but this race could be bound for export. Jessica Harrington sends Climate back to England having seen the filly finish a decent fourth in a Group 2 race at Newmarket over Guineas weekend.
She was staying on at the finish over nine furlongs and is taking quite a significant step up in distance to tackle a mile and a half for the first time. It should suit and with plenty of stamina in the pedigree it’s a surprise this hasn’t been tried sooner.
Ralph Beckett won this race 12 months ago with Kinross who is back to try to do the same again. He went on to confirm himself at the specialist’s trip of seven furlongs by winning the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood and on his only other run at the distance was a staying on fourth in the Prix de la Foret.
Lack of a recent run should be no barrier to him winning first time up but if there is a likely danger it could come from Laneqash who was placed in three Group 2 races last year and returns after a gelding operation.
ITV Racing Schedule, Saturday 28th May
13:45 Haydock – Achilles Stakes
14:05 Beverley – Hilary Needler Trophy
14:20 Haydock – 1m4f Handicap
14:40 Beverley – 7 ½f Handicap
14:55 Haydock – Pinnacle Stakes
15:15 Beverley – Two-year-old Trophy
15:30 Haydock – John Of Gaunt Stakes
15:45 Chester – 7 ½f Handicap
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
