Gaassee out to prove he's a Group horse in waiting in the Old Newton Cup

Saturday: 3.15 Haydock
bet365 Old Newton Cup Handicap | 1m4f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

It is unusual for a 17-runner handicap on ITV to revolve around a short-priced favourite but Gaassee dominates the Old Newton Cup market and is the only place to start.

The positives to his chance are easy to find. Gaassee has won four on the bounce and boasts a Group 1 entry later in the season in the Irish St Leger, while his sole soft-ground run yielded a 15-length success in a Chester novice last autumn. Throw in the fact this progressive sort is trained by William Haggas and skinny odds are probably justifiable.

So, is there anything not to like? Trends followers will point to the Old Newton Cup failing to produce a winning favourite in the past decade and the form of Gaassee's return success at York has taken some knocks.

The subsequent results of those in behind reads 78056309917 and further rain is forecast at Haydock. Soft ground could turn to heavy and bottomless terrain is an unknown for Gaassee. He is not home and hosed off 7lb higher by any means.

With enhanced place terms across the board, it may be worth targeting one or two each-way at bigger prices who boast testing-ground form.

Brentford Hope is one such mud-lover but 1m4f stretches him and it is likely the ability to stay further will prove integral in these conditions.

Rank outsider Torcello is deeply exposed but makes mild appeal as he has won his last two starts on soft ground and has winning form on heavy. The fact he was dropped 1lb after a fair sixth in a Chester Cup that is working out means he is worth considering down in trip.

However, it is Secret Shadow who has a more appealing profile for Andrew Balding off a low weight. The filly finished her three-year-old campaign with three victories from her last four (two over staying trips on testing going), and continued to progress on her comeback when a close third over 1m6f on good to soft at Goodwood. She may have more to offer under Hayley Turner.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Jardine hopeful Ravenscraig Castle can outrun big odds

Iain Jardine is hoping the abandonment of a race at Hamilton on Tuesday due to 'unsafe ground' could prove a blessing in disguise for Ravenscraig Castle, who would win connections over £77,000 if he lands Haydock's bet365 Old Newton Cup.

The four-year-old son of Nathaniel now gets the opportunity to chase a much more lucrative prize, and it would be no surprise to Jardine if he outran odds of 25-1.

Jardine has largely campaigned Ravenscraig Castle at around two miles since his Melrose Handicap third at York in August, but now feels the gelding will flourish over shorter distances.

"He's a big price but he doesn't know that," Jardine said. "He was engaged to run at Hamilton earlier in the week but that race was abandoned, so we decided to declare for Haydock."

Ravenscraig Castle seems ideally suited by coming off a strong pace in a big field, and the demands of the Old Newton Cup could be tailor-made for him.

Ian Jardine is hoping the drop in trip will prove fruitful for Ravenscraig CastleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"He likes a strong gallop and he'll be coming home well, I'm sure of that," Jardine said. "His form is good. He finished third in the Melrose and then I stupidly stepped him up to two miles in the belief he was an out-and-out stayer.

"I think I got that wrong. He wants a mile and a half or a mile and six off a true gallop. They didn't go hard enough for him at Ayr last time."

Jardine is under no illusions of the task Ravenscraig Castle may face against a probable Group horse in Gaassee and 15 other rivals, but is hopeful his runner will be thereabouts at the finish.

"He's well, and I'm hoping for a big run," he added.

What they say

Richard Hannon, trainer of Fancy Man
He probably did a little too much up front in the Magnolia, but still ran a decent race. We'll try and hold on to him for a bit longer and he's won at Haydock before. The step back up in trip is a big plus. He won't be far away.

Alan King, trainer of Raymond Tusk, On To Victory and Inchicore
I feel there is a good handicap in Inchicore but she is much more effective when the ground is testing and, while I was thinking we might have to wait until the autumn to find one, they have had rain in the north-west this week so we are giving it a go. Raymond Tusk will enjoy the easier ground too, having looked ill at ease on the faster surface at Royal Ascot, while On To Victory made a pleasing return to the Flat when fifth at York.

Alastair Donald, racing manager to King Power Racing, owners of Morando
He's not the force he was but has dropped to a nice mark. The trip is on the short side but if the heavens open and it came up really soft he'd become a factor.

Alan O'Keeffe, assistant to Jennie Candlish, trainer of It's Good To Laugh
He's been very unlucky on his last two starts and prior to that got no run in the Chester Cup from a bad draw. If he got a clear run through I'd expect him to be staying on towards the finish.

Kevin Philippart de Foy, trainer of Liverpool Knight
He'll enjoy the soft ground at Haydock. He was a winner on a similar surface at Windsor last time but is now 6lb higher in a much stronger race. It's a step up in class but he does have a nice, low weight, and the trip suits. He's in good form. We'll see how he does in this higher grade; he'll have to improve again to win.
Reporting by Richard Birch

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