Rose Of Lancaster Stakes Preview

The highlight of Saturday’s card at Haydock is the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes over a mile and a quarter. The race has attracted a good quality field including Sir Michael Stoute’s one-time Derby hope Telescope.

The Favourite

The son of Galileo made a promising start to his racing career when beaten a short head at Ascot and had no difficulty in going one better on his next start. Sent off the odds-on favourite, Telescope was eased to an impressive two and a quarter length victory at Newmarket and introduced into the betting for the 2013 Epsom Derby.

A succession of minor injuries delayed his return to the track and it was not until July that he finally made his three-year-old debut at Leicester. He completely outclassed his two rivals and was driven out by Ryan Moore to record a 24-length victory. The colt holds a number of Group One entries and it will be disappointing if he cannot take this race comfortably on his way to better things. He is priced at 8-11 with Bet365.

Opposition

His biggest danger may be Noble Mission, a full brother to the great Frankel. Lady Cecil’s colt has had to race in the shadow of his sibling but is no mean performer himself. He has won four of his twelve career starts and was not disgraced when fourth at Royal Ascot last time out.

The Godolphin owned duo of City Style and Quick Wit should also help to ensure a thorough test for Telescope. Quick Wit made all to win at Doncaster last month and similar tactics may be employed again here. City Style is having his first race since returning from Dubai but is a proven performer at this level.

Mick De Kock’s David Livingston ran well in the Hunt Cup at the Royal meeting and again when fourth at Sandown last time. The form of that race is working out well with the third home being very unlucky not to win a Group 2 at Glorious Goodwood last week.

Outsiders

The veteran Sri Putra is yet to recapture the sparkle of previous seasons and may be on the decline at the age of seven. Rewarded sprang a 25-1 surprise when winning at Goodwood in May but made no show in a handicap at Ascot subsequently.

Black Spirit is another that may not quite be the force that he was a year or two ago whilst Area Fifty One and Making Eyes look slightly out of their depth. All eyes will be on Telescope on Saturday as he puts his reputation on the line.