TimeformBlog

The fourth race is an interesting conditions stakes named after Welsh Emperor, the popular front runner who won four times at the track, including this event twice in 2008 and 2009. It seems likely that a prominent racer will take this year's renewal, but at the prices we'll swerve Kakatosi and side with another who likes to be up there with the pace in the tough and genuine Norville (16.00) who currently trades at 6.6. If you haven't been following the rise of the David Evans-trained four-year-old then where have you been?! Since the turn of the year Norville has progressed from a maiden into a thriving 108-rated sprinter and seeks a seventh success this afternoon. Even in defeat at Chester last weekend Norville shaped well, briefly looking a threat despite being positioned widest of all. He's not had much racing over seven furlongs, but confirmed his effectiveness at the trip with a couple of cracking efforts, again at Chester, in May. Kakatosi is rated 3 lb superior to the selection and is dropped back in grade, but has to leave behind a couple of really tame efforts and looks short enough. Mahubo, a winner in Dubai in December, could prove the biggest danger on his first run for Tom Tate.

In the previous race, York Glory (15.25) is fancied to continue his improvement and see off a number of similarly progressive three-year-old sprinters. Kevin Ryan's charge ran out a comfortable victor at Pontefract last month, in doing so becoming the fourth horse to win next time out from the Nottingham handicap won by Palais Glide in May. He looks well treated on his return to handicap-company and wears blinkers for the first time.

The stayers' handicap can go for the second year running to Sir Mark Prescott, who trains the unexposed Captain Brown (16.35). He's just the type of horse Sir Mark excels with and it will be a surprise if he's not winning more races before long. Captain Brown comfortably landed the odds from Emperor of Rome in a Newcastle maiden in May and his next run in the Edinburgh Cup, when notably favourite on what was his handicap debut, can be ignored given he was poorly positioned as things went. He'll relish the step up to a mile and three quarters today.

Recommendations

All at Haydock Park

Back York Glory @ 4.0 15:25
Back Norville @ 6.6 16.00
Back Captain Brown @ 2.94 16.35

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