Racing at Haydock was delayed before the 14:20 on Saturday after a drainage issue hit the track, turning the early part of the card into a wait before the first serious betting moves could land. That did not stop Ben Linfoot from sticking with his selections, backing Astrazar at 10/1 in the 14:20 and Five Ways at 11/1 in the 14:58 on a day when the William Hill Temple Stakes topped the bill.
The stronger play, he said, was Five Ways in the William Hill Sandy Lane Stakes, a Group 2 for three-year-olds over six furlongs. Linfoot said he could not resist taking the Balding-trained son of Kameko after a run of circumstances that did little to flatter him last time. Five Ways was beaten six lengths when finishing on under Jason Watson in the Palace House behind Night Raider, and Linfoot pointed out that he had been drawn on the wrong side that day. Now he is stepping back up to six furlongs, and Linfoot said he was happy to take on Venetian Sun, Coppull and Division. He also noted that Five Ways’ dam won her maiden at Haydock and finished third in an Achilles Stakes there, a detail that adds a little local appeal to the gamble.
Astrazar, meanwhile, was the value angle in the 14:20. Linfoot said he thought the horse offered a spot of value at double-figure prices after a luckless return at Newbury last time, when things simply did not fall right. The market also had Princling in focus for the William Hill Silver Bowl Handicap over a mile, with Linfoot believing he was probably much better than a mark of 87. That left Haydock’s Saturday card with the familiar mix of sprint speed and handicap puzzles, even before the weather and track conditions had their say.
The delay underlined how much can change before a flag falls, but it did not alter the shape of the column: take a chance on the horses with excuses, and do not be put off by bigger names in races that can hinge on draw, pace and timing. For readers following the ITV Racing action from Goodwood, Haydock and York, the focus now shifts from the pre-race hold-up to whether Linfoot’s two price plays can justify the faith.
