Haydock Park is one of seven meetings across the UK and Ireland on Saturday and it features three Black Type races: the 5f Listed Achilles Stakes, the 1m4f Group 3 Lester Piggott Stakes and the 7f Group 3 John of Gaunt Stakes.
Equilateral heads the betting for the 5f Listed Achilles Stakes (1:15) and is one of three rides at Haydock Park for Frankie Dettori, who is currently operating at a 43% strike rate (6-14 in last fourteen days). Although the eight-year-old struggled to make his presence felt in Meydan, he returned to form over course and distance when second in the Group 2 Temple Stakes.
Although it is difficult to see past the favourite, Edward Bethell's Regional could be interesting stepped up into Black Type company. He has been running well in top level handicaps and broke through for a half-length success at York last time over 5f. Prince Of Pillo picked up a Listed success at Ayr in September and remains unexposed after only five runs. He makes his seasonal reappearance and it'll be interesting to see how the Prince of Lir colt fares against older rivals.
WIN: EQUILATERAL
In the 1m4f Group 3 Lester Piggott Stakes (3:00), Modaara takes her first step into Black Type company after only three racecourse starts. Although she demonstrated some promise when winning a Chelmsford novice stakes in October, the four-year-old looked a different horse when scoring by thirteen lengths at Kempton Park on seasonal reappearance.
Time Lock has the experience in Black Type company, having finished runner-up in Listed races on her last two outings. She looked an easy winner when cruising to the lead two furlongs out in the Listed Daisy Warwick Stakes at Goodwood on reappearance but failed to respond to Luisa Casati's late challenge to finish one length behind. She looked like she may have needed the run and a better performance is expected.
Frankie Dettori's mount Mimikyu is a proven stayer and ran well to finish a short head behind River Of Stars in the Group 3 Bronte Cup over 1m6f on her return to action. She won over course and distance as a three-year-old (beating Time Lock) and makes plenty of appeal in a competitive race.
WIN: TIME LOCK
Australian sprinter The Astrologist is having a final prep run before Royal Ascot in the 7f Group 3 John of Gaunt Stakes. Although the six-year-old is being targeted at the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over 6f, he has previously won over 7f and connections are hoping the race will end a perfect preparation for the son of Zoustar.
He will face Jumby, who is yet to hit top form this season after two disappointing runs over a mile and 6f. His previous achievements over 7f, including a victory in the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury, would suggest that a return to his favourite distance will spark improvement in the five-year-old.
Karl Burke's El Caballo is expected to bounce back after a disappointing seasonal reappearance on heavy ground at Doncaster, when he finished last of ten in the 6f Listed Cammidge Trophy. He recorded five straight wins from December 2021 to May 2022, including the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes over 6f at this track and is far better than his return would suggest.
WIN: EL CABALLO
