Horse racing fans are in for a treat on the first Saturday in July as Sandown and Haydock stage two top-class meetings.
The Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown is undoubtedly the standout race of the day, with a small but select field set to do battle in the Group 1 event.
Over at Haydock, plenty of punters interested in betting on racing will be using Ladbrokes promotions to wager on the Lancashire Oaks and the Old Newton Cup. Read on as we look at four horses worth watching this weekend.
Mishriff – Coral Eclipse Stakes – Sandown
The John and Thady Gosden trained four-year-old has already won Group 1s abroad, but is yet to break his duck in the United Kingdom.
Mishriff started the season by winning the Saudi Cup on dirt and followed up by beating Chrono Genesis to win the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March.
The runner-up was an impressive winner of a Group 1 in Japan on Sunday, giving Mishriff a timely boost ahead of this weekend.
French 2000 Guineas and Derby winner St Mark’s Basilica is likely to be Mishriff’s toughest opponent, but the latter will be difficult to beat.
Came From The Dark – Coral Charge – Sandown
Came From The Dark recently missed an intended outing at Royal Ascot due to a setback, but should be primed to run a big race in the Coral Charge at Sandown.
The five-year-old finished second in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket in May and the stiff five furlongs at Sandown should be right up his street.
Ed Walker’s charge was narrowly touched off by Lazuli in the Palace House, but would probably have won the race with a clear run.
Jockey Hollie Doyle made a mess of things that day, but if the pair can steer clear of trouble they can gain their revenge this weekend.
Mystery Angel – Lancashire Oaks – Haydock
Mystery Angel finished second behind Snowfall in the Oaks at Epsom and looks a good bet to go one better in the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock.
The Oaks form has been franked over the past few days, with Zeyaadah (13th) winning a Group 3 at Newcastle and Santa Barbara (5th) narrowly beaten in Group 1 in Ireland.
Mark Prescott’s Alpinista heads the betting after winning a Listed event at Goodwood in April, but may be short of race fitness having not run since then.
George Boughey’s three-year-old filly has been in good form on the gallops since running in the Oaks and should run a big race at Haydock.
Longsider – Old Newton Cup – Haydock
Longsider was heavily backed to win the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle, but was pulled out of the race after suffering a minor setback.
Trainer Sir Mark Prescott erred on the side of caution and his decision should pay dividends in Old Newton Cup this weekend.
Longsider has been difficult to train, but highlighted his potential with a smooth success in a novice event at Lingfield earlier this season.
Prescott does well with this type of horse and the feeling remains that this is a Group performer lurking on a hugely attractive handicap mark.
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