GB - Haydock Park - Race 2

Thoroughbred

5 Runners

10.2f

Group 3

Turf

Good (Good to Firm in places)

130.5K

VIEW

Verdict

SALLAAL looked a Group horse in a handicap when bolting up at Epsom and having since landed the odds in listed company, he is strongly fancied to bring up the hat-trick. Danger Bay is highly respected after his eye-catching John Smith's Cup effort, with Nahraan also worth another chance to confirm his 3-y-o form.

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Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
4	Bred in the purple and won twice in 2025. Has upped his game further this season, producing a very smart effort when storming clear in 16-runner 1¼m handicap at Epsom in June and following up with a bit in hand in 6-runner listed race at Sandown (1¼m, good). Should take all the beating up in class. 1st Pick 4 Sallaal (Ire) Jockey: Ray Dawson Trainer: Roger Varian J: Ray Dawson T: Roger Varian	100	-	-	-	84%
Analysis Bred in the purple and won twice in 2025. Has upped his game further this season, producing a very smart effort when storming clear in 16-runner 1¼m handicap at Epsom in June and following up with a bit in hand in 6-runner listed race at Sandown (1¼m, good). Should take all the beating up in class.
2	Advanced his form on his return with impressive victory in Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar (1¼m) in May. Up 8 lb but shaped as if still ahead of that mark when fourth in the John Smith's Cup at York 4 weeks ago, finishing with running left after enduring a luckless passage. Worth his place at this level. 2nd Pick 2 Danger Bay (Ire) Jockey: Daniel Tudhope Trainer: Edward Bethell J: Daniel Tudhope T: Edward Bethell	92	-	-	-	15%	Scratched
Analysis Advanced his form on his return with impressive victory in Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar (1¼m) in May. Up 8 lb but shaped as if still ahead of that mark when fourth in the John Smith's Cup at York 4 weeks ago, finishing with running left after enduring a luckless passage. Worth his place at this level.
3	Quickly reached a smart level last season, bringing up the hat-trick in listed Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton (11f) in July. Chased home Croix du Nord and Daryz on his final outing at 3 yrs but much too keen when 5¾ lengths ninth of 16 in the listed Wolferton Stakes (5/1) at Royal Ascot (1¼m) on return. 3rd Pick 3 Nahraan Jockey: Oisin Murphy Trainer: John & Thady Gosden J: Oisin Murphy T: John & Thady Gosden	91	-	-	-	19%
Analysis Quickly reached a smart level last season, bringing up the hat-trick in listed Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton (11f) in July. Chased home Croix du Nord and Daryz on his final outing at 3 yrs but much too keen when 5¾ lengths ninth of 16 in the listed Wolferton Stakes (5/1) at Royal Ascot (1¼m) on return.

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Horse Racing Basic Terms

Fast

A dry dirt track that is typically an ideal racing surface.

State-Bred

A horse bred in a particular state and thus eligible to race in restricted state-bred races. These can be anything from maiden races to stakes events.

Firm

A dry turf course, equal to a ‘fast’ dirt track.