'There are no worries' - El Astronaute ready for launch again in Achilles Stakes

2.20 Haydock
Betway Achilles Stakes (Listed) | 5f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity over time. It can be an instantaneous force that sees an object move from standstill to near top speed in a flash. Sport lovers may associate acceleration best with a Formula One car, greyhound sprinter or Kylian Mbappe. But El Astronaute registers with me first.

The John Quinn-trained eight-year-old wowed with a ping-break start at the Chester May meeting in which he snatched a two-length advantage before his rivals had even realised the stalls had opened. His sharpness reaped rewards as he made all the running in the 5f conditions event to beat the reopposing King's Lynn.

Not only does he possess exceptional gatespeed, but El Astronaute's ability to dominate races from start to finish has seen him be successful on 14 occasions, and plenty will fancy him to follow up his Chester strike in the Betway Achilles Stakes, a race he won last year when it was run at Doncaster.

John Quinn: El Astronaute's trainerCredit: Pool

There is no doubt that he has the class – El Astronaute is already a three-time Listed winner – and he has drawn well to head towards the stands' side rail in stall 12. However, deep ground at Haydock provides a different test to Doncaster and he produced his fifth-worst effort on RPRs (62) on his only start here on soft ground in September 2016.

The ease in which he can dictate fractions in this field has to be of concern, though, as regular pacesetters Zargun, Glamorous Anna and Ornate are no easy numbers to lead up. A speed brawl would set it up for the closers.

Tarboosh, a dual soft-ground winner who has form figures of 32 in this race, heads the challengers and may well reverse 2020 form with the speedy jolly. King's Lynn will also look to avenge his recent Chester defeat on just his eighth career start. It is plausible that those two could come to the fore.

The going has to be a concern for the returning Motagally, whose two best performances came on firm ground at Bath. In contrast, the class-dropping Moss Gill, who is fresh after a winter trip to Meydan for the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint, should appreciate the rain-softened turf. However, we have already seen the likes of Oxted struggle after international adventures this season.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

Cowell hoping sprint trio can take off

Robert Cowell was not the original sprint king, but he is among those who can now lay claim to the title – an assertion backed up by fielding Aljady, Dubai Station and Ishvara in this.

"Something will stick, won't it?" Cowell joked before he explained his stable's MO.

"We found sprinters easier and cheaper to buy because the big outfits were letting them go. They'd run well at two, lose their form at three, but then come back quite smart at four and five.

"We were able to buy [King's Stand winners] Prohibit and Goldream affordably whereas I can't afford to breed or buy a Classic horse. A lot of others specialise in sprinters now and it's harder, but we'll keep plugging away and it's nice to have one or two good horses again – we've got a few who might be able to show up on the bigger days now."

Robert Cowell: sweet enough on his threeCredit: Edward Whitaker

The trainer, based near Newmarket, is taking flying lessons and intends to have his licence by the end of the summer, but hopes his Achilles runners can take off first.

"Aljady ran very well in the Palace House so I could see him running a nice race and he's in good form, while he'll like Haydock more than Newmarket," he added.

"I think Dubai Station is a very nice horse and I'd be surprised if he isn't a serious sprinter at some point, but I'm teaching him to be a five-furlong type. We ran him in a good race at Windsor last time and six furlongs on testing ground was too much. This will be more to his liking and I think he's overpriced.

"Ishvara is a filly we're desperate to get some black type with and she loves soft ground, while she's also a course-and-distance winner."

What they say

Paul Midgley, trainer of Tarboosh
He always steps forward from his first run of the year and the penalty doesn't help, but you're kind of better off with it because it means you've won a nice race! He's in good form and the ground is fine, while he's run well at Haydock before. He's got a decent draw in stall five with plenty of pace to aim at, so I can't see too many negatives.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Count D'Orsay
It's been frustrating for him in handicaps as he's rated too high, so we thought we'd take a chance and go for a Listed race. He likes the ground and track.

John Quinn, trainer of El Astronaute
He's come out of Chester very well and he's hopefully got every chance. He's won around bends and he's won in straight lines as well, so there are no worries. He'll handle cut in the ground and we're hoping for another good run from him.
Reporting by James Burn

Read more on Saturday's racing:

Quinn could be mighty at Haydock again thanks to Safe Voyage and El Astronaute (Members' Club)

Beverley is set to get racy as thrilled Jilly Cooper bids for debut triumph (Members' Club)

'He's not reached his ceiling' – Jason Weaver's leading Saturday fancy (Members' Club)

2.00 Beverley: 'You couldn't back her after that first run but she's certainly got ability'

2.25 Punchestown: Willie Mullins holds strong claims with Bapaume and Bleu Berry

2.40 Chester: what is it about Boardman that impressed our handicappers so much?

2.55 Haydock: who will peak in the Pinnacle Stakes? Get the lowdown from Tom Collins

3.10 Beverley: 'He's quite a nice animal' – Tipperary Sunset bids to live up to tall reputation

3.30 Haydock: Keith Melrose assesses who could prove a seven-furlong star in John of Gaunt (Members' Club)

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