Haydock preview: Naval Power out for Ascendant honours

Naval Power puts his unbeaten record on the line when he lines up in the Betfair Daily Tips On Betting.Betfair Ascendant Stakes at Haydock on Saturday.

All three of his victories to date have come over seven furlongs, but Charlie Appleby’s promising youngster now steps up to a mile in this Listed event looking to enhance his growing reputation.

The Teofilo colt has already struck in Listed company when demolishing the field by six and a half lengths in Ascot’s Pat Eddery Stakes last month and his Moulton Paddocks handler is confident he can defy a penalty on Merseyside.

Speaking to www.godolphin.com, Appleby said: “Naval Power has come on with every run and we are looking forward to stepping him up a mile. We are hoping that the extra distance will help negate his penalty for winning at Ascot and he looks the one to beat.”

His biggest test could be provided by Tom Clover’s Seeking Gold, who got off the mark at the second attempt at Yarmouth 24 days ago.

Before that, the promising Havana Gold colt was second in a hot Newbury maiden which was won by the subsequent Acomb Stakes winner and also housed the future Solario Stakes winner among the beaten horses.

“His form looks really strong,” said Clover. “He’s a really straightforward, uncomplicated horse and he’s been shaping up well.

“It looks like the step up to a mile will suit him really nicely – fingers crossed for a really nice run and fingers crossed he’s got a chance.”

Soulcombe has been ruled out of the Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap at Haydock on Saturday due to a dirty scope.

The son of Frankel, who was an impressive winner of the Melrose at York last month was the ante-post favourite for the race as he looked to defy a 14lb rise in the handicap for his four-and-a-quarter length success over Caius Chorister on the Knavesmire.

Speaking on Friday morning, trainer William Haggas said: “He doesn’t run. He’s scoped dirty.”

While Soulcombe is an absentee, Jim Goldie’s veteran Euchen Glen has another chance to win the race he landed in 2020.

Since that triumph two years ago, the popular nine-year-old has gone on to win in Pattern company on four occasions, but a so-far luckless 2022 has seen his rating fall to a figure just 4lb higher than when successful in this 14-furlong handicap.

The son of Authorized could be classed as an unlucky loser the last twice, firstly when unable to successfully weave a path to the front when third at Goodwood and then again encountering traffic problems when lining up for the Ebor last month.

“If he gets a bit of luck in running he’ll run a big race,” said Goldie. “He won it two years ago so we know he likes the place. He’s in good nick.

“He didn’t have a hard race in the Ebor unfortunately. Myself and Paul (Mulrennan) went into mourning a bit after it, we just wondered if we had missed our chance. But that’s racing – you dust yourself off and we’re looking forward to Haydock.”

Also in the north west, the Queen’s Reach For The Moon drops back in trip to a mile for the Group Three Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Superior Mile Stakes.

The one-time Derby candidate has not been seen since a beaten favourite in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot and returns to the track sporting a first-time visor.

His big-race pilot Frankie Dettori is looking forward to renewing the partnership and he told Sporting Index: “I’m looking forward to getting back on Reach For The Moon. He’s had a nice break and been freshened up since finishing second over 10 furlongs at Royal Ascot.

“Visually, he didn’t appear to finish the race off that strongly, so we’re back over a mile and hopefully a couple of months off the track has done him the world of good.

“This race looks a good option for him, so hopefully he can bounce back and then we can start thinking about his next step.”

Bayside Boy got the better of Reach For The Moon in Doncaster’s Champagne Stakes last September and the duo lock horns once again.

Things have not fallen into place for Roger Varian’s New Bay colt this season and he is also tried in new headgear on Merseyside. He will wear first-time blinkers and is the mount of the in-form William Buick, while the race also sees the return of Triple Time, who landed the Ascendant Stakes on this card in 2021 but has not been sighted since.

Others in the line-up to note include Charles Hills’ Royal Hunt Cup winner Dark Shift and the popular course winner Marie’s Diamond.