Gabrial, whose first visit to Goodwood last week saw him undergo a baptism of fire when crossing swords with the mighty Frankel, heads to a more familiar Haydock Park tomorrow with every chance of picking up a useful consolation prize in the shape of the £55,000 Talk To Victor Rose Of Lancaster Stakes.

The Malton colt won a very valuable Haydock handicap earlier in the season, and finished a creditable fifth in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on his next outing.

More recently, again in Group 1 company, he finished third of the four runners in the Sussex Stakes, beaten by just over nine lengths by the peerless Frankel.

Gabrial hardly faces a cakewalk in tomorrow’s Group 3 target, with the likes of Jet Away, a stablemate of Frankel, in opposition.

But Richard Fahey’s colt is the only three-year-old in the field and three-year-olds have won this race 15 times in the last 25 runnings. Gabrial may just be able to add his name to that list.

Fahey also has good prospects with Ladys First in the British Stallion Studs Dick Hern Fillies’ Stakes. Although not at her best at Pontefract last time out, Ladys First had previously run rock-solid races when placed at Sandown, Royal Ascot and Doncaster. Barry McHugh takes the mount.

Rosslyn Castle carries top weight of 9st 7lb in the Levy Board Handicap, but is fancied to defy his burden.

Roger Charlton’s talented three-year-old has won both his races this season at Windsor and Chester by wide margins. He has been hiked up a further 9lb, but he looks the real deal and his class is expected to tell under George Baker.

Norton trainer Neville Bycroft had to exert plenty of patience last season with Willbeme, who was confined to her box for four months after fracturing her pelvis. But that patience, and care, is now beginning to reap rewards.

Willbeme, a promising third on her reappearance at Thirsk last month, scored decisively at Doncaster last Saturday.

It would come as no surprise if she followed up in the Duke Of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry Handicap.

At Redcar, the nap vote is awarded to Diggory Delvet in the Win A VIP Day Out At redcarracing.co.uk Nursery.

Tony Hamilton’s mount ran out a very convincing winner on his debut at Beverley over five furlongs.

That was a pretty ordinary contest, but he could hardly have won it with more aplomb and he is fancied to prove equal to his task in handicap company, especially stepping up to this longer trip.

Ollie Pears’ horses are running a great deal better than they did in mid-summer and the Norton trainer has good claims with Sound Amigo in the Stan Plumpton Celebrating His Retirement Handicap.

The four-year-old chased home Lucky Numbers in a similar contest at Thirsk last Saturday and is capable of going one better.

Keith Reveley saddled Broctune Papa Gio in the John Smith’s Redcar Straight-Mile Championship Handicap (Qualifier) and his five-year-old, who missed out by only a whisker here last time out, deserves to go one better.

Also worth considering are recent winners Ebony Clarets (4.20) and Stormy Morning (6.00).

 

Racing selections

Haydock (tomorrow)
1.45 The Taj, 2.20 Rosslyn Castle, 2.55 Gabrial, 3.25 Invisible Hunter, 4.00 Ladys First, 4.30 Willbeme, 5.05 Mirrored.

Redcar (tomorrow)
2.00 Reconsider Baby, 2.35 Diggory Delvet (NAP), 3.10 Sound Amigo, 3.45 Broctune Papa Gio, 4.20 Ebony Clarets, 4.55 Sabore, 5.30 Dean Iarracht, 6.00 Stormy Morning.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Ascot, Ayr, Lingfield and Newmarket.

Today’s meetings: Brighton, Haydock, Lingfield, Musselburgh and Newmarket.