14:20 Haydock

Saturday 3 September 2022

All13:1513:4514:2014:5515:3016:0517:14

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Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 3m 5.8s

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(14)

Thundering¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: P Mulrennan| T: K A Ryan| OR: 92

6/1

Got the better of Pons Aelius when making a winning handicap debut at Newcastle (12.4f) in June. Runner-up both starts since, latterly over 11.8f at York (good to firm) where he left the impression that this new trip is worth exploring (his half-brother Cosmeapolitan stayed 1¾m).

Form: 252122

(9)

Irish Lullaby⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: L Dettori| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 90

7/1

Nathaniel filly who has improved in line with longer trips, making it three wins from last four starts at Galway (12.4f, good to soft) in July. Likely to face conditions faster than anything she's previously encountered, but further progress possible up again in trip with Dettori aboard.

Form: 0-51711

(4)

Temporize¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 90

16/1

Bright start to his career in July when landing back-to-back 1½m novice events 11 days apart (beat the re-opposing Open Champion at Newmarket on the second of those two starts). However, safely held in a couple of handicaps since and yard saddles a stronger candidate in Pons Aelius.

Form: 1137

(12)

Adjuvant¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Benoit D L Sayette⁽³⁾| T: M L W Bell| OR: 90

13/2

Dual 2-y-o winner who benefited from the step up to 1½m when striking at Newmarket in July. Bettered that effort when third to the potentially smart Soulcombe upped to this trip at the York Ebor meeting and this consistent type is likely to be in the thick of things once again.

Form: 334183

(6)

Inverness¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 90

6/1

Goodwood maiden winner at 2 yrs and fine effort back there when third to the subsequently Group-placed Secret State in July (Adjuvant and Zain Nights behind). Hot on the heels of Adjuvant when fourth at the big York meeting (13.8f, good to firm) a fortnight ago and he's a live each-way candidate.

Form: 1-60334

(8)

Open Champion²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 87

7/1

Left debut form a long way behind when chasing home Temporize at Newmarket in July and duly went one better switched to polytrack at Lingfield (1½m) last month. Much more on his plate now handicapping, but he's unexposed and promises to be suited by this step up in trip.

Form: 021

(13)

Tamilla²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 85

11/2

Strong at the finish when going close in a 10.2f handicap here in May and winner of both subsequent starts over 1½m. 5 lb rise for latest success fair enough and while this is tougher, there could be even better to come from this filly now that she's faced with a stiffer test.

Form: 53-4211

(10)

Jacovec Cavern⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: George Bass⁽³⁾| T: M R Channon| OR: 79

11/1

Deservedly opened his account at the sixth attempt upped to 1½m in a Ffos Las handicap (good) eight days ago, and he did the job in good style. However, while this trip should be within range, the combination of a 9 lb higher mark and the competitive nature of this race spells danger.

Form: 823331

(2)

Australian Angel²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Hayley Turner| T: A M Balding| OR: 79| D

12/1

Successful for the third time this season at Sandown on penultimate start and found just one too good at Newmarket (1¾, good) next time. Conversely, her form falls short of what some of these rivals have achieved and current mark appears to leave little room for manoeuvre.

Form: 161212

(1)

Rushford^p²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 78| D

40/1

Much improved in first-time cheekpieces when narrowly getting the better of an argument with Pons Aelius upped to this trip at Sandown in July. However, subsequent effort at Nottingham where he was a long way adrift of Pons Aelius was poor.

Form: 251816

(5)

Pons Aelius²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 77| BF

12/1

Has stood up well to an intensive campaign this season, finishing out of the first two just twice from 10 starts in 2022. Clear of the rest when chasing home one who was on a handy mark upped to 2m at Nottingham (good to firm) last time and another bold show would be no surprise at all.

Form: 222122

(11)

Sophiesticate¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: J S Goldie| OR: 71

25/1

Hit the crossbar twice prior to sharing the spoils in a 1¼m Ayr handicap last month. Improved when following up in decisive fashion upped to 12.5f at Musselburgh (good) recently and this trip may well be within range, but more is certainly needed now 6 lb higher in a much tougher race.

Form: 352211

Non-Runners

(15)

Zain Nights²³

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: H & R Charlton J: W Buick

(16)

Post Impressionist⁷

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: W J Haggas J: Non Runner

(3)

Speycaster⁶³

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: R M Beckett J: Hollie Doyle

(7)

Sarsons Risk⁷

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: Ian Williams J: B A Curtis

Forecasts

Tamilla (11/2), Inverness (6/1), Thundering (6/1), Adjuvant (13/2), Irish Lullaby (7/1), Open Champion (7/1), Speycaster (10/1), Sarsons Risk (10/1), Jacovec Cavern (11/1), Pons Aelius (12/1), Australian Angel (12/1), Post Impressionist (14/1), Temporize (16/1), Sophiesticate (25/1), Zain Nights (25/1), Rushford (40/1)

Several of these appear to be on a steeper upward curve than PONS AELIUS, but this tough and consistent colt appeals as just the type who will rise to the challenge. It's likely that plenty of use will be made of him following his fine effort over 2m at Nottingham and he won't be easy to peg back. There are dangerous aplenty, with Tamilla feared most ahead of another progressive filly in Irish Lullaby, while Adjuvant, Inverness, the unexposed Open Champion and Speycaster all have claims, too.