Waldkonig v Highest Ground the highlight on 10-race Haydock card

The action on Wednesday’s card features 10 races which gets under way on 1.10pm, with the concluding event at 5.20pm. Strict social distancing protocols will of course be in place for the meeting and the Racing Post have previewed all of the action with stats and analysis.

The opening Novice Stakes (1.10pm) is one of the races of the week in Britain which pitches talented colts Waldkonig and Highest Ground against one another.

Waldkonig represents the red-hot John Gosden and made a winning debut at Wolverhampton in December. The son of Kingman looked badly in need of the run when third in Listed company on his reappearance at Newmarket earlier this month, but this half-brother to 2019 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Waldgeist remains a 25/1 shot for the Derby at Epsom on July 4.

Highest Ground looked a horse to follow when defying a tardy start to make a winning debut at Leicester last season. The English and Irish Derby entrant is a son of Frankel and is highly regarded by trainer Sir Michael Stoute. This is quite simply a race you have to see.

The £10,400 Coultree Handicap (1.40pm) is ultra-competitive, but Acclaim The Nation can build on his promising return to action on turf at the track on June 9 when narrowly beaten.

He remains progressive despite his advancing years and quick ground will suit the son of Acclamation.

Tropics is now a 12-year-old but makes a triumphant return to action under 5lb claimer Sophie Ralston. Dean Ivory’s charge has good record while fresh and cannot be ignored. Similarly, Blue De Vega has some talented form in his back catalogue and will improve for his return to action at Newmarket last time out. Mountain Peak was a good third at Newmarket on his reappearance and is also worth a mention alongside Venturous who is better than he showed on his return to action at Newmarket.

The £10,400 Crank Handicap (3.40pm) is the other feature event on the card and features a number of unexposed types. Angel Power represents the powerful King Power operation and was a smooth winner at Chelmsford last time out.

An opening handicap mark of 85 looks fair for this 150,000gns purchase who by coincidence is related to Blue De Vega who runs earlier on the card. Canagat is related to Ascot Gold Cup second Age Of Aquarius and is has won two of his three starts, latterly when winning in handicap company at Newcastle.

The exciting Lucander has won three of his five starts and displayed a tremendous attitude to score at York in October and looks the type to progress further this season.

Her Majesty The Queen recorded a 24th victory at Royal Ascot last week and has a chance of another success at Haydock this time in the £7,250 Sutton Handicap (4.10pm). Sovereign Grant, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, looked badly in need of the run when sixth on his reappearance at Chelmsford and can strip fitter for that run here.

The concluding £10,400 Bullinge Handicap (5.50pm) also looks a fascinating contest which features Indigo Lake for John Gosden. A smooth winner at Doncaster earlier this month, he takes on the progressive Midnights Legacy who represents the in-form Alan King who enjoyed three winners at Royal Ascot last week and was a game winner on his reappearance at Haydock this month.

Selections for Haydock

1.10pm Newton-Le-Willows Novice Stakes, 1m2½f, Racing TV (RTV)

Selection: Highest Ground

1.40pm Coultree Handicap 5f, RTV

Selection: Acclaim The Nation

2.10pm British Stallions Studs EBF Novice Stakes, 7f, RTV

Selection: Devious Company

2.40pm Whiston Handicap (Div I), 7f, RTV

Selection: Peachey Carnehan

3.10pm Whinston Handicap (Div II), 7f, RTV

Selection: Sharrabang

3.40pm Crank Handicap, 1m, RTV

Selection: Lucander

4.10pm Sutton Handicap, 1m, RTV

Selection: Sovereign Gran

4.45pm Crankwood Fillies’ Novice Stakes, 1m 4f, RTV

Selection: Summer House

5.20pm Lowton Handicap 1m 4f, RTV

Selection: My Girl Maggie

5.50pm Billinge Handicap, 1m 4f, RTV

Selection: Midnights Legacy

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