Haydock preview: Take Cover to land Achilles Stakes
Published:
David Metcalf | May 20, 2016
Take Cover ready to cut a dash at Haydock
Take Cover has some top form to his name and can take advantage of a drop in class to get back to winning ways in the Listed Achilles Stakes over the flying 5f at Haydock this evening (19.30).
The David Griffiths trained gelding is a tough and consistent performer who finished a cracking head second to Muthmir in last years’ Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood and also ran well when third of 12 to Sole Power in a Group 2 at the Curragh.
Take Cover went on to land a Listed contest in game fashion at Dundalk by 1 1/2 lengths from Speed Hawk, and hinted that his time was near again when a fine fifth in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket last month.
The nine-year-old showed blistering early speed in the latter and kept on well when getting headed deep inside the last to finish a 1 1/2 length fifth of 21 to Profitable.
Palace House form reads well
Take Cover had Cotai Glory, who re-opposes in this, well behind in 12th and has nothing to fear from that rival on that running.
The form also reads extremely well in the context of this lower grade affair, and another plus is that Take Cover has winning form at the track.
Take Cover also goes well for jockey David Allan, who was onboard for his runs behind Muthmir and Sole Power, and everything looks in place for the son of Singspiel to get back on the scoresheet.
Just Be Lucky can open account
Just Be Lucky has posted some solid efforts this season and can gain a deserved first success in the 1m handicap that closes proceedings (21.00).
The gelding had some useful form to his name when trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger and was rated 79 at his peak.
Now in the care of Ivan Furtado, Just Be Lucky is able to race off a career-low rating of 69.
It gives the four-year-old major claims from a handicapping perspective, and Just Be Lucky now drops down into class 5 company having finished a fine two length fourth to the thriving Ice Slice in a class 4 affair at Nottingham when last seen in action.
That run suggested that it would not be long before Just Be Lucky finally got hot head in front where it matters most, and connections are now fitting him with the cheekpieces.
If the headgear has the desired effect, the son of Intense Focus is likely to take some pegging back as there is every chance that he could get an easy lead and be allowed to dominate in this line-up.
Selections
18.30: Masterpaver
19.00: Devilish Guest
19.30: Take Cover (NAP)
20.00: Newera
20.30: Superyacht
21.00: Just Be Lucky (NB)
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