Talking Horses: best Saturday bets for Haydock, Newmarket and Chester


Mitchum Swagger, ridden by Ryan Moore, looks good for the John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock (4.05)

Trainer form is a tricky beast. When David Simcock saddled the second and third in the Lockinge three weeks ago it looked as if the Newmarket man had probably overcome his slow start to the season and was now worth following but, almost a month later, he is still struggling along on a low strike-rate.

Breton Rock, one of his Lockinge heroes, is the likely favourite for today’s John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock and the veteran should be suited by the likely squelch underfoot. But it is not comfortable being on favourites from his yard in competitive races just now.

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