John of Gaunt Stakes: Timeform preview, tip and free racecard.
The John of Gaunt Stakes (15:35) at Haydock on Saturday is available as a free Race Pass, which means logged-in customers can view all our premium comments and ratings.
Haydock’s card features a couple of Group 3 contests, including the John of Gaunt Stakes (15:35) over seven furlongs in which a couple of the six runners are having their sights lowered after contesting the Lockinge Stakes last time.
They include the likeable Jumby (126) for Eve Johnson Houghton. He’s a smart performer who progressed from handicaps last year, finishing third in the Wokingham and Bunbury Cup, to win the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury later in the summer. He spoilt his chances with a very slow start in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket on his reappearance and then never threatened when down the field at 50/1 in the Lockinge over a mile last time. But, down in grade and back at his best trip, he’s entitled to get much more competitive this time.
This is a second chance for Australian Royal Ascot entry The Astrologist (129) to show what he can do on British turf. He has smart form to his name down under and ran very well to finish just a head second to Danyah in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in March. He was easy to back when weakening to finish seventh behind Azure Blue in the Duke of York Stakes on his British debut last month but would be a danger if coming on for that run and getting closer to his best here.
Tim Easterby’s runner Boardman (122) steps up in grade but comes into this in good form from handicaps. He was suited by the strong pace when putting up a smart effort to beat On A Session by three lengths at Chester last time, repeating his 2022 win in the same contest. He gets the ‘Horses For Courses’ flag, having won over course and distance in both of the last couple of seasons.
El Caballo (128?) looked a most progressive three-year-old when completing a four-timer in 2022 in the Sandy Lane Stakes over six furlongs at this track by a neck from Flaming Rib. That made him a leading contender for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot but he finished in rear on firmer going there and fared no better back on much softer ground on his reappearance in a listed race at Doncaster in April. He’s got a bit to prove now, therefore.
The Wizard of Eye (120) was the outsider of four when springing a surprise in a listed race at Kempton late last season and seemed to run well at long odds, although never a threat, when finishing a couple of places in front of Jumby in the Lockinge last time but has something to find on the balance of form, even dropping in grade.
The field is completed by Gorak (107) who’s being kept busy but is another in form from handicaps. He won at Doncaster in April and was successful over course and distance last time, beating Ffionn a neck, but that was a 0-90 contest and he faces a stiff task in a much higher grade.
Timeform Analyst’s Verdict:
Jumby is a likeable type who shaped as if still in form when down the field in the Lockinge at Newbury last time. Back down in trip, he's worth chancing, with The Astrologist regarded as the main danger. Boardman has a bit to find on form but he arrives in good heart and has won here before.
Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings:
129 The Astrologist
128? El Caballo
126 Jumby
122 Boardman
120 The Wizard of Eye
107 Gorak
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