Keith Melrose believes lightly raced types may improve past form pick Ispolini

Tapster Stakes (Listed)| 3yo+ | 1m4f | RTV

The chances are this will be a slightly substandard edition of the Tapster Stakes. It is not particularly hard to explain why.

This is a race normally run in late-May (at Goodwood) and it is most commonly used as a prep run for bigger races. Sir Michael Stoute has won three of the last ten runnings and all of them went to Royal Ascot for their next run.

This year, the race has seemingly acted as a competitor with Saturday's Group 3 Silver Cup. Two of the runners, Trueshan and Ispolini, were entered for that race and El Misk has recent form which ties in with Silver Cup contender Universal Order.

Ispolini is arguably the form pick of the whole field. He is a dual Group 3 winner, including last year's German St Leger, but avoids all penalties on account of the cut-off point being the start of 2020.

The only other runner in the field with a Pattern-level win to their name is Mountain Hunter, the Godolphin second string who edged last year's Godolphin Stakes. The rest are largely progressive ex-handicappers having one of their first attempts at the big time.

That goes for Trueshan, who went from the Old Rowley Cup to beat Hamish off level weights and then finish fourth to Dashing Willoughby on his reappearance. It is not hard to see why he is fancied.

Alignak bids to make the step up to Listed class in the Tapster Stakes at Haydock on FridayCredit: John Grossick

One to note from the group of class-risers is Alignak. He won a handicap off 89 on resumption day at Newcastle and moves straight into this grade.

It is not trainer Sir Michael Stoute's usual style to promote one so quickly, but it is very much in his methods to aim an improver at the Tapster Stakes.

Analysis by Keith Melrose

Key Stat

El Misk came within a short head of earning a first win on turf in four attempts at Newmarket last time, so it may not pay to read too much into his seemingly much more successful strike-rate of three from four on the all-weather.

What is clear is that Rab Havlin enjoys a good partnership with the son of Dansili, boasting two wins and a second from three starts.

Trueshan enjoyed an excellent 2019 and ran with credit on his return to action behind Dashing Willoughby at Newmarket last monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

What they say

Alan King, trainer of Trueshan
We were very pleased with his first run back this year when the ground was probably as quick as he would want it at Newmarket. I'm trying to get him ready for the Ebor so the timing is right and the ground should be ideal at Haydock. I hope and think he'll run very well.

Oisin Murphy, jockey of Grace And Danger
She was a bit fresh last time. The priority with her is to get as much black type as we possibly can, she’s a very well-bred filly. Hopefully she’ll settle better and she can finish off the race.

Reporting by Scott Burton

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