Roger Varian’s Sallaal has the chance to become the highlight of Haydock’s first weekend back racing when he bids for a hat-trick in the Betway Rose of Lancaster Stakes.
Racing has been absent from the Merseyside venue since the discovery of a hole on the outer track was discovered in May, prompting a halt to subsequent fixtures as the course underwent remedial work.
However, the gates are open again and they have been rewarded with the presence of the improving four-year-old who having blitzed the opposition in what on paper was a competitive handicap at Epsom, soon followed up at Listed level when winning Sandown’s Gala Stakes.
The son of Frankel – who is a half-brother to Group One-winning Benbatl as well as Varian’s 1000 Guineas heroine Elmalka – now steps up to Group Three company, with the Newmarket handler excited to see his charge back in action.
Varian said: “It’s a good race for him and he’s in good form. I’m very happy with him and it’s lovely timing since his last race at Sandown.
“I’ve been very happy with his movement and his condition and hopefully we see another strong performance.
“None of these races are easy and he’s likely to be at the head of the market due to his profile, but we won’t be taking anything for granted. He’s still learning and growing up and everything has to go right on the day.
“We’re looking forward to it obviously and we think it’s the ideal spot for him and it looks like being nice ground. It’s great to be racing back at Haydock.”
Meanwhile, John and Thady Gosden’s Nahraan had only smart Japanese performer Croix Du Nord and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Daryz ahead of him in the Prix du Prince d’Orange last autumn and will be bidding to improve on his comeback run when never a factor in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Also on a recovery mission is Karl Burke’s Convergent who having been thrust into deep waters at Epsom on Derby day, will attempt to leave both that Coronation Cup disappointment and another underwhelming display at Newmarket to recreate the impressive win produced in Newbury’s John Porter Stakes earlier in the season.
PJ Colville, racing manager for owners Newtown Anner Stud, said: “He underperformed at Epsom, we had an awful lot of rain and it went too heavy, and in hindsight he probably shouldn’t have run but he did.
“The last day we didn’t find any excuse to be honest, he got checked out and he was fine. He breezed well on Tuesday, but we will have to see how he goes.
“Sometimes when they underperform you want to find that little thing, but nothing is showing up at the minute so we’ll drive on and see what happens.”
A select field of five is complete by Simon and Ed Crisford’s Sea Scout, who is yet to be seen this season but was a consistent performer last term and now makes his first outing since being gelded.
Ed Bethell’s Danger Bay, an unlucky fourth in the John Smith’s Cup, is a non-runner because of girth gall.
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