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Horse Racing

Grant Wood looks picture-perfect at Haydock

July 2024

Grant Wood can complete a Haydock sprint double in the Supalite Group Handicap on Thursday.

The five-year-old joined Paul Midgley last term after the retirement of previous trainer Eric Alston, but he had only a couple of turf starts before a lengthy break that saw him return with a fair third on the all-weather in December.

Grant Wood quickly notched up two wins in that sphere, which saw his mark rocket from 68 to 80, with a run of four lacklustre efforts snapped when he emerged victorious at this track last month.

Off 77 that day, Grant Wood clearly relished quicker ground after meeting with soft conditions previously and a 3lb ease in the weights was likely another factor in his return to form.

That 3lb is added again this time but with his confidence riding high, and given the comfortable nature of his recent win, Grant Wood can yet defy a career-high mark.

Sir Paul Ramsey should be able to build on a debut third as he tackles the ODL Queen Of The North EBF Novice Stakes.

A half-brother to three winners, including multiple Group-race victor Sandrine, Sir Paul Ramsey is bred to stay a bit further as a son of Sea The Moon and he certainly kept on well to be beaten less than 2-lengths at Doncaster last month.

Given he hung across the track a little in the finish, the previous experience should help him here and he certainly appears to have enough ability to hit the target.

Wonder Smile moves up to 1600m for the first time in the QuinnBet Daily Free Bet Handicap at Yarmouth.

Each of his six career starts have been over 1400m and given the way he stayed on when a 5-length third at Newmarket recently, it makes sense to try the slightly longer trip at this point.

Shadow Of Light is one to watch in the Weatherbys EBF Maiden Stakes.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, this Godolphin homebred is a Lope De Vega half-brother to multiple Group One winner and promising first-season stallion Earthlight.

Cracksking is back for more over 2400m at Kempton in the Unibet Zero% Mission Handicap.

James Fanshawe's charge boasts a 50 percent strike-rate on the all-weather, winning at this track last time and Newcastle last year, while also placing on his other two attempts on artificial surfaces.

That latest Kempton success was claimed with a degree of ease that promises more, despite a 5lb hike.

Marty McFly is the choice in Perth's Horizon Parking Group Handicap Hurdle.

He triumphed at this track over 3200m last month but had previously shown up well over a trip just short of the 4000m he faces here. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings on Thursday. Here are the tips.

HAYDOCK: Race 1: 15.10 Quietness, Race 2: 15.40 Dashing Harry, Race 3: 16.10 Definitive, Race 4: 16.40 GRANT WOOD (NAP), Race 5: 17.10 Sir Paul Ramsey, Race 6: 17.45 Arkhalia Flynn.

PERTH: Race 1: 15.18 Bishop Hill, Race 2: 15.48 Max Of Stars, Race 3: 16.18 The Gypsy Davey, Race 4: 16.48 Marty McFly, Race 5: 17.18 Up For Appeal, Race 6: 17.50 Blended Stealth, Race 7: 18.20 Dalileo.

YARMOUTH: Race 1: 15.30 Charlie's Choice, Race 2: 16.00 Shadow Of Light, Race 3: 16.30 Glistening, Race 4: 17.00 Lone Piper, Race 5: 17.30 Wonder Smile, Race 6: 18.00 Annie Law.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 18.15 Modern Utopia, Race 2: 18.50 Juneberry, Race 3: 19.25 Falsetto, Race 4: 20.00 Cabinet Of Clowns, Race 5: 20.35 Cracksking, Race 6: 21.10 Call Time, Race 7: 21.45 Libra Tiger.

NEWBURY: Race 1: 19.10 Lihou, Race 2: 19.45 Stellenbosch, Race 3: 20.20 War Howl, Race 4: 20.55 Algheed, Race 5: 21.25 See That Storm, Race 6: 22.00 New Kings Road.

ALL TO COME: Grant Wood (Haydock, Race 4) and Cracksking (Kempton, Race 5).

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