Talking Horses: Kinross can pull off timely repeat at Haydock

A competitive renewal of the John Of Gaunt Stakes is the highlight of the card at Haydock on Saturday and, with seven of the eight runners priced up between 100-30 and 14-1, it has the feel of a handicap rather than a Group Three.

They will all go to post under 9st 2lb, however, which gives Kinross (3.30), who has a few pounds in hand on most of his rivals per the official ratings, an obvious chance to follow up his win in the same race 12 months ago.

Ralph Beckett’s five-year-old went on to win the Group Two Lennox Stakes, also over seven furlongs, last season and ended his campaign with an unlucky-in-running ninth in the Champions Sprint. The return to seven furlongs seems sure to suit and while Kinross has not seen a racecourse since October, he won this race off a 107-day break last year.

Haydock 1.45: Significantly has had a wind op since his return in April, looked well up to this standard several times last season and is a decent each-way alternative to Dragon Symbol, the likely favourite, at around 12-1.

Beverley 2.05: With a fierce pace all but guaranteed, Absolutelyflawless is worth backing to repeat her strong finish at Chester earlier this month and extend her unbeaten record to three.

Haydock 2.20: Contact won a Newmarket handicap last month with something to spare, and in a strong time, so a 5lb rise in the weights looks lenient.

Beverley 2.40: Wobwobwob was run off his feet over six furlongs at York last time but has been dropped 1lb since and this return to seven will suit.

Haydock 2.55: This looks an ideal starting point for Sea La Rosa, whoput up a career-best to win a Listed event at Lingfield on her final start in 2021.

Beverley 3.15: Jm Jungle took a big step forward at Hamilton earlier this month