Key questions and trainer views as True Self heads Pinnacle market for Mullins

2.25 HaydockBetway Pinnacle Stakes (Group 3) | 1m4f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Willie Mullins' dual-purpose mare True Self bids to register her third win on British soil and fifth consecutive success in the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes.

Mullins has never had a winner at the Merseyside track, but his six-year-old should be a big player based on her comeback win in Listed company at Gowran Park last month.

True Self, who was an impressive winner on soft ground in the Listed James Seymour Stakes at Newmarket last November, will get her ground once more after heavy rain over the last couple of days.

She tackles Group 3 company for the first time and will be partnered by Colin Keane, riding at Haydock for the first time.

Keane said: "I'm looking forward to riding her again. I think she'd have come on from her seasonal reappearance at Gowran Park. I've always liked her and she's given me some great days."

Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins added: "She's in very good form. This will be her biggest test, stepping up to a Group 3 for the first time. The ground going soft should suit her more than some of the other fillies and if she runs to her mark she should be hard to beat."

Will Mrs Sippy get her revenge?

Mrs Sippy has a 3lb pull with Highgarden for the head she was beaten on the Rowley Mile last year and represents David Simcock, who won this with Moment In Time in 2013.

However, the daughter of Blame will have to step up on her comeback run at York last month when she brought up the rear behind Lah Ti Dar in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes.

Simcock said: "It all happened a bit quick for Mrs Sippy at York, where she seemed to sulk a little bit, but she's been in good form since then.

"She's a filly we've always liked and we're hopeful she'll handle the ground as she won her maiden on soft."

Can Pilaster return to her best?

Victories in this race in 2011 (Ferdoos) and 2012 (Shimmering Sea) helped put Roger Varian on the map as a trainer and seven years on he's out to add to his tally with Pilaster.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned filly is reunited with David Egan, who registered his biggest win to date on the four-year-old in a Group 2 at Goodwood last year.

Although that success was on good ground, Pilaster has displayed she can handle easier ground in the past.

Varian said: "We're hopeful Pilaster will handle the ground. She's coming back in trip but we know she stays very well. There are plenty of positives."

Will it be a Klassique?

William Haggas had a couple of entries in this race at the five-day stage but relies on Klassique, who ran into the useful Enbihaar on her return at Goodwood last time.

The daughter of Galileo won a handicap on good to soft at Newmarket last backed, but connections are not sure she wants it any slower.

Haggas said: "Klassique is in good shape and should like the trip, but handling very soft ground is the issue."

What the rest say

Rae Guest, trainer of Dance Legend
We're pleased with the ground and the easier the better for her. She's in great form and she won't be far away.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Jedhi
We're taking a punt running her in this grade but also on the ground. She's well bred and has a progressive profile but she struggled on heavy at Ffos Las last year.

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