/ Editor / 06 June 2007 /

Soldier's Tale has an outstanding chance on the official figures to take the most valuable race of the day at Haydock, the 7f Listed Stakes at 16.25.

Clear by 3lbs in the ratings off a mark of 112, supporters of Soldier's Tale can also point to the fact that the six-year-old made a most promising reappearance when third to Amadeus Wolf in a Group 2 6f sprint at York's May meeting. The fifth home that day, Assertive, has won since, giving the form a significant boost.

At 108, Early March is next best in, which gives John Gosden's charge a pretty good chance, especially as he clearly goes well fresh having only been beaten by a head on his 2006 comeback run in France. The market is normally a solid indicator of the stable's horses, so if early trades prove positive, Early March might be worth a saver at the very least.

Quito, who took the money in this race 12 months ago when mugging New Seeker close home, doesn't seem to be in the same sort of heart at present and is probably one for the layers on this occasion.

The same cannot be said for New Seeker, unsuited by the soft ground at Windsor last time, but previously successful in authoritative fashion on a money-spinning visit to Leicester. A winner of 8 of his 29 career starts, Paul Cole's gelding looks a risky lay.

Jedburgh is a 7f specialist, however he tends to do his winning on far stiffer tracks than this, a factor which might easily tempt layers to take the plunge and get involved.

The same remark also applies to Mine, a multiple winner in many big-race handicaps such as the Bunbury and Royal Hunt Cup. James Bethell's stable-star doesn't excel on this type of easy track and doesn't appeal for either a win or place investment.

The joker in the pack might well be the enigmatic Suggestive, who has failed to beat a single horse on his last two outings, yet possesses a smart turn of foot and remains capable of bouncing back to form if in the mood.

Both Beckermet (100) and even more so, Sunderland Echo (90), have it all to do at the weights, and look outclassed.

Four-timer not beyond Very Well Red

Several in form horses line up at 15.35 for Hamilton's DM Hall Handicap, none more so than Very Well Red, bidding to complete a four-timer in the 1m65y contest.

Peter Hiatt has certainly found the key to his four-year-old filly, on a terrific roll having racked up successive victories at Wolverhampton, Nottingham, and Beverley. Very Well Red has shot up 22lbs as result of those wins, however she won with a ton in hand at the last-named venue, and might still be ahead of the handicapper.

Networker is in similarly good heart, reeling off a 1m double at Beverley and Yarmouth, each time seeing off big fields with a bit to spare. Neil Callan's booking is another major plus and he's another likely to have plenty wanting to take a piece of the win and place action.

Michael Dods' has his team in sparkling form, spearheaded by the likes of Society Music, a comfortable Pontefract (1m) winner last time out. Dods' does particularly well with mares and there's no reason why she won't once again take a hand in the finish.

The pace in the race is almost certain to be provided by the habitual front-runner, Anthemion, who has twice prevailed at the track (9f) in the past and is always a dangerous customer if given a soft lead. Andrew Mullen's mount represents a classic in-running potential play, since if allowed to get too far clear, might be mighty hard to peg back.

Linda Perratt's decision to book top light-weight, Jimmy Quinn, could prove a pointer towards the prospects of Mandarin Rocket, who lurks menacingly at the foot of the weights. Despite going off a 66-1 rag at Ayr, he finished a fair second to Bijou Dan, (winner again since). Dropped 12lbs in the ratings over the past 12 months, the four-year-old is worth watching for any confidence in early trades.

Both Northern Boy and Regent's Secret seem out-of-sorts and shape more like lay material until showing signs of a revival.

Nightspot going well for Eve

Eve Johnson-Houghton has made a bright start to her training career and Nightspot could provide the rookie handler with yet another winner in Haydock's Enterprise Handicap (1m2f120y) at 16.55.

Night Spot took advantage of 14lbs drop in the weights to win for the first time in nearly three years at Newbury (1m2f) last month. Raised only 5lbs for that overdue success, he went within a whisker of following up when beaten a short-head on a frustrating visit to Chepstow 9 days ago. Still relatively well-handicapped compared to his heady ratings of 2005, Nightspot should be popular with backers with a good head for figures.

Brian Meehan's stable has not exactly been firing on all cylinders, however Khun John shaped as if he might be about to stage a revival when third on his Newmarket (1m2f) reappearance. The lightly-raced son of Marju holds Quince (4th) on that effort, and having won three of his five lifetime starts, is going to attract plenty of win and place players on that basis alone.

Pagan Sword, who finished in second spot, a length-and-a-half ahead of Khun John in the afore-mentioned Newmarket contest, doesn't always give his jockey maximum co-operation. He's a tricky customer and some will take the view he won't confirm the form with Khun John and invest accordingly.

Noel Wilson's United Nations encountered traffic problems on his Wolverhampton (1m141y) return, so in the circumstances did well to nab runners-up' prize money. Significant support in trading would strongly suggest the six-year-old has improved fitness-wise for the outing, in which case he could make his presence felt at the business end of affairs.

Although only 5th of 6 at Ayr, Frank Crow, was beaten under two lengths and given he'd previously landed the spoils in tremendously game fashion at Musselburgh (1m1f), cannot be discounted. His run-style suggests this step up in trip should suit, which could prompt in-running players to get involved if Jim Goldie's four-year-old is still on the bridle when others are running out of steam.

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