Weekend Preview / Timeform / 29 May 2009 / Leave a comment

The racing this weekend is fairly low-key as the build up to the Derby gathers steam, but there are still some interesting contests around the country, writes Timeform.

Haydock Park again stages a good-quality Saturday card, with the ten-runner Group 3 Timeform Jury Stakes including some smart performers.

Jeremy Noseda's Arabian Gleam was promising last year and is set to make his reappearance but he may have his work cut out giving weight to race-fit rivals. One horse worthy of interest is the 2007 Jersey Stakes winner Tariq. Trained by in-form Peter Chapple-Hyam, Tariq has been running creditably in Group 1 events over a mile but that trip stretches his stamina and it wouldn't be a surprise if he stepped up a little on recent efforts back at what is probably his optimum distance. Main Aim is also a lively contender - he put up a scintillating display over six furlongs in a handicap at Newbury on his first start this season, but it remains to be seen whether he can put in the same level of performance over this trip.

Elsewhere on the card at Haydock there is a fillies' listed race over a mile and a half. William Jarvis's Gravitation makes her reappearance in this, but the trip is probably on the short side for her nowadays and Roger Charlton's Clowance appeals more. There are some big names entered for the first race on the card, a listed contest over five furlongs. It features such as Dandy Man and Reverence but both have been mightily disappointing lately and it looks an open contest.

Goodwood stages a competitive-looking card, the feature of which is the listed race over a mile in which the Winter Derby second Premio Loco will be bidding to prove he is as effective on turf as on polytrack.

They also race at Doncaster, York and Tramore on Saturday afternoon, with Newbury and Lingfield staging evening cards. Sunday's Flat action comes from Bath, with National Hunt action on the same day from Perth, Stratford, Listowel and Kilbeggan.