Fine Form
Deteriorating ground conditions are expected to tip the scales in favour of proven mud lover
Vadream HY – 1.50
in the Betfred Temple Stakes at Haydock.
A quality field has assembled for the five-furlong speed test, with Adam West’s Nunthorpe hero Live In The Dream and Australian raider Asfoora the two headline acts in terms of pure sprinting ability.
When the ground was fast at the start of the week, it would have been difficult to look beyond that pair, but the heavy rain that has fallen on Merseyside in recent days cannot be seen as a positive for either, whereas it brings Vadream right into calculations.
The Charlie Fellowes-trained mare has a record of three wins from seven starts when the ground is soft or heavy, a record which includes big-race wins in both the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster and the Palace House at Newmarket last season, beating Live In The Dream on the latter occasion.
Vadream came within a head of successfully defending her Palace House crown on her most recent outing, proving herself as good as ever, and she should be involved at the business end again today.
Vandeek HY – 2.25
is expected to stamp his class on the Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Sandy Lane Stakes.
The Havana Grey colt needs no introduction as one of last season’s leading juveniles, with an unblemished record of four wins all achieved over this six-furlong distance.
Simon and Ed Crisford’s stable star has proven himself ground versatile by winning the Prix Morny on very soft going and the Middle Park on good to firm, so it will be disappointing if he is unable to make a successful reappearance en-route to the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
Volterra hy – 1.15
is the pick in the opening £100,000 Betfred Silver Bowl Handicap.
Kevin Ryan’s charge shaped well in each of his three starts as a two-year-old, finishing a promising fourth in the Convivial Maiden at York on his debut before placing third at Ayr and then opening his account at Redcar.
He made a mockery of an opening handicap mark of 82 when bolting up on his return at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting and a 9lb hike might not be enough to stop him following up.
Meydaan go – 3.45
sets the standard in the British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood.
Victorious in a Newcastle maiden on his November debut, there was talk of this son of Frankel being a possible Derby contender prior to his reappearance at Newmarket, but he could only finish fifth of sixth in novice company.
However, the fact he was still pitched into the Lingfield Derby Trial on his next start is perhaps indicative of the regard in which he is held and he was certainly not disgraced in finishing third behind the impressive Ambiente Friendly, who is now a leading hope for the big one at Epsom.
The Derby dream is surely over for Meydaan, but if he can prove his worth in this Listed event, then perhaps an appearance at Royal Ascot could be on the cards.
Not many trainers have their string in better form than Jessica Harrington at the moment and the leading Irish handler is backed to plunder the William Hill Bronte Cup at York with
Trevaunance yo – 3.20
The five-year-old has run well in Pattern company on numerous occasions over the past couple of years, most notably enjoying back-to-back Group-race wins at Deauville in 2022.
She failed to add to her tally last season, but a comeback third at Cork last month suggested her winning turn is not far away and a step up in trip to a mile and three-quarters looks a wise move.
It is Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas day at the Curragh and as long as the ground does not turn too soft, Richard Hannon’s Newmarket Guineas runner-up
Rosallion cu – 3.40
should go one better.
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