Racing preview for Saturday, May 21
David Barron’s sprinter won this Grade Two by a neck 12 months ago, having previously finished a half-length second in the 2014 renewal, and is well worth another bash at what is a tempting double-figure price.
The seven-year-old son of Compton Place has never quite fulfilled his potential, which has perhaps been due to misfortune than anything untoward.
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Hide AdDespite having twice been placed in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, Pearl Secret’s sole Group race-triumph was actually in the Temple Stakes last year.
And though he has not been sighted since the autumn, when a fine fourth from a difficult draw in the Prix de l’Abbaye, he is a horse that has gone well fresh in the past.
Just as significant is the fact there is rain forecast on Merseyside, so the ground should not be rattling-fast, which has never really been his bag
With owners Qatar Racing desperate for a big winner after having made a quiet start to the Flat season, Barron can be relied upon to have his inmate primed to the minute.
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Hide AdRichard Fahey is a big fan of Garcia, who should be up to the challenge in the Silver Bowl Stakes.
The three-year-old son of Paco Boy raised a few eyebrows at Beverley last time when he cosily accounted for a strong Sir Michael Stoute runner by nearly two lengths.
Fahey was quick to nominate this race as the next logical staging post for Garcia, who still looks reasonably treated on a mark of 89.
He must take another step up the ladder at Haydock, but that is a distinct possibility as he could easily be better than a handicapper.
* Selections:
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Hide AdGoodwood: 2.15 Master Carpenter, 2.50 Mount Logan, 3.25 Oh This Is Us, 4.00 Romantic View, 4.35 Notarised, 5.10 Elusive Ellen, 5.45 Nightingale Valley.
Haydock: 1.55 Red Verdon, 2.30 Venue, 3.05 Garcia, 3.40 Marsh Hawk, 4.10 PEARL SECRET (NAP), 4.45 Flowers On Venus, 5.20 King Of Naples.
Newmarket: 1.50 Deningy, 2.20 Chelsea Lad, 2.55 Seeking Magic, 3.30 Linguistic, 4.05 Felix Mendelssohn, 4.40 Clear Water, 5.15 Murgan.
York: 2.05 Heaven’s Guest, 2.40 Moonrise Landing, 3.15 Shrewd, 3.50 Kimberella, 4.20 Masham Star, 4.55 Sagely, 5.25 Dutch Artist.
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Hide AdChepstow: 5.50 Davarde, 6.20 Spirit Of Rosanna, 6.50 Sciarra, 7.20 Bouclier, 7.50 Innoko, 8.20 Scent Of Power, 8.50 Dizzey Heights.
Stratford: 5.30 Chicago Outfit, 6.05 Zante, 6.35 Shadows Lengthen, 7.05 Red Tornado, 7.35 Raven’s Tower, 8.05 Alderley Heights, 8.35 Brio Conti.
Double: Pearl Secret and Linguistic.