Will Dragon Symbol's class tell against some in-form Achilles rivals?

Betfred Nifty Fifty Achilles Stakes (Listed) | 5f, 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

The inclusive nature of Listed races is best demonstrated in sprints, such as this Achilles Stakes which pits together a horse who was first past the post in a Group 1 less than a year ago (Dragon Symbol) with some that would struggle to get a run in the Wokingham (Tenaya Canyon, Attagirl).

Sprints also bring more variance than other races, which is part of the reason Dragon Symbol is not odds-on, and those looking for 33s about Tenaya Canyon might be disappointed. The other reason for those two particular observations is trajectory. Dragon Symbol's form tailed off a little in 2021 and he did not run well on his reappearance, albeit with reasonable excuses. Meanwhile, Tanaya Canyon's last run represented a clear career best when she was second in a Listed race at Newmarket. The caveat there is that it was a pretty weak contest for the grade.

Besides Dragon Symbol, the field is mostly of the type that change between handicaps and lower Pattern races. It is notable how few are the type of exposed veterans associated with these sorts of sprints. Seven of the 11 runners are aged either three or four and the only horse in the race over five, Tabdeed, qualifies as a lightly raced seven-year-old with just 16 career starts behind him.

Tabdeed should not be seriously marked down on account of age, then. He struggled to hold his form for Owen Burrows, but still managed to win the Hackwood Stakes in 2020, and he has made a bright enough start for Archie Watson. There is still scope for him to improve on his third at this level last time, and on his best form he would not be far away.

Also give thought to Atalis Bay, who has also switched trainers this season. In his case he has gone from Marco Botti to Robert Cowell, no bad move for a sprinter, and he showed plenty of speed before getting tired on his stable debut in the Palace House Stakes. He has run his best race here and has top course jockey Richard Kingscote up, so if he is fit this time then there are few excuses.

Analysis by Keith Melrose, betting editor

Favourite has questions to answer

The highest-profile horse in the race is also the one with the biggest question to answer.

A year ago Dragon Symbol was just touched off by Rohaan in the Sandy Lane before being first past the post in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

Seconds in the July Cup and King George followed, but after a third in the Nunthorpe, fourth in the Flying Five and 14th in the Champions Sprint he was switched to Roger Varian's yard this winter. A disappointing reappearance at York has led to a drop into Listed grade for a horse who has run in Group company on his last eight starts.

However, the question remains, is this the confidence-boost he needs or is this now his level?

Varian said: "He's come out of his run at York well and he's worked nicely, so he's ready to run again. We were disappointed at York, but we can't find a reason for it – perhaps he just ran a bit fresh and needed it – so hopefully we can get back on track.

"It looks a good opportunity on paper and he should cope with the ground and the drop back to five furlongs, so we're looking forward to running him again."

What they say

Robert Cowell, trainer of Atalis Bay and Clarendon House
Atalis Bay ran in the Palace House and showed plenty of speed, but the track probably didn't suit him with the uphill finish – the faster the track the better. He needed the run at Newmarket to blow away the cobwebs and we're meaning a bit more business this time. Clarendon House is a lovely, progressive sprinter. Things just fell completely wrong for him in France last time and he missed the break completely, which is unlike him, but he fell asleep in the gates. Hopefully he'll be more alert this time and a fast track suits.

Mick Appleby, trainer of King Of Stars and Raasel
Raasel is going up in class again, but he's in great order and the ground shouldn't be an issue. We're hoping for a big run from him. King Of Stars is also in good order, but I'd be worried about the ground for him. If they get any more rain he wouldn't run, so hopefully it dries up a bit.

David O'Meara, trainer of Nomadic Empire
I'm not sure it was the six-furlong trip so much as loose ground at York, so we'll be keeping an eye on the going at Haydock. If it's dried up and it's nice, good ground, he'll run. If not I might have a think about it.

Karl Burke, trainer of Attagirl
Attagirl is in good form, ready to run and hopefully should be competitive.

Archie Watson, trainer of Tabdeed
He's always travelled very well in his races so we felt the drop to five furlongs was worth a try. I thought he ran a very solid race at Windsor when the pace set-up didn't really suit him. He's in good form at home and I hope he can run a nice race.

Read Saturday's race previews:

2.05 Beverley: 'She has a great chance' - why it could pay to oppose the unbeaten favourite

2.55 Haydock: Can racing's hottest duo Haggas and Marquand keep the winners flowing?

3.15 Beverley: 'He's one of our stronger ones' - quotes and analysis for Two Year Old Trophy

3.30 Haydock: Kinross seeks to deny a Dettori double in wide-open John of Gaunt Stakes

4.00 Navan: Group horse in a handicap? Sun King out to defy big weight in red-hot contest

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