Friday 1 July 2011

Haydock Preview


A select field of seven will go to post for the bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock on Saturday.

Clive Cox's Polly's Mark is a standing dish in these types of events and finished second to Barshiba 12 months ago. She will attempt to go one better after proving no match for Banimpire in Ireland on her last start.

Henry Cecil's Vita Nova, who narrowly lost her unbeaten record on her last visit to Merseyside, will attempt to regain the winning thread in the Group Two contest.

John Gosden's Gertrude Bell won the Cheshire Oaks last season and after having her limitations exposed in the Oaks and Ribblesdale, she returned to action this season with a win.

Sir Michael Stoute could do with a winner and his Eleanora Duse will represent the Freemason Lodge handler after a below-par return to action at Newmarket.

Lucy Wadham's Dorcas Lane ran with great credit in the Ribblesdale and searches for more black type. Mick Channon's Fork Handles and Clive Brittain's maiden Bilidn complete the field.