William Haggas eyeing another valuable prize with progressive filly Tamilla

Get Daily Rewards With Betfair Handicap | 1m6f | 3yo | ITV/RTV

This handicap is to the Old Borough Cup what the Melrose is to the Ebor at York. Three-year-old staying potential comes to the fore and the great Trueshan was even beaten in this back in 2019.

Encouragingly, this is the biggest field the race has attracted in many years and William Haggas, who won the race with Favorite Moon in 2020, has another good chance with Tamilla.

Stablemate Post Impressionist has been ruled out due to the ground, but Tamilla is improving. The daughter of Nathaniel is yet to tackle 1m6f but there are signs in her pedigree the trip will suit as her sister, Precious Ramotswe, landed a Group 3 over the distance a few years ago.

As a stallion, Nathaniel is about as strong a stamina influence there is on the Flat and he is also represented by Irish Lullaby for Jessica Harrington. The game Galway festival winner has progressed rapidly since stepping up from a mile and a quarter and this first attempt at 1m6f could unlock further improvement.

Harrington has enlisted the services of Frankie Dettori to partner just her fourth runner at the Lancashire track. The pair have enjoyed a winner and a second on the two occasions they have combined in Britain and their latest representative could provide the each-way value in this race.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Champion chance

Andrea Atzeni seeks a second win in three years in this race and his partner Open Champion was not stopping when scoring over a mile and a half on the all-weather at Lingfield last time.

The son of Postponed is not bred for this trip on his dam's side but jockey Ray Dawson was struggling to pull him up when he made it third time lucky that day after a previous near-miss at Newmarket.

Atzeni, who won the race aboard Favorite Moon in 2020, said: "Open Champion is lightly raced and has improved with each run after a gelding operation. He has improved with his racing and I'm sure a mile and six should suit him as Ray Dawson had a job to pull him up at Lingfield.

"I would think he'll enjoy going back on to turf as he was second on his previous start at Newmarket. It's a competitive handicap as you'd imagine but I'm looking forward to getting back on him."

What they say

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Irish Lullaby
Hopefully we've got the right man on board in Frankie. It's a nice handicap for three-year-olds and she's won her last two. I just hope there's a little ease in the ground. I think she'll stay well.

Michael Bell, trainer of Adjuvant
He could do with some rain or some water being put on. He ran a very good race to be third in the Melrose last time and if this race doesn't come too soon I'd expect him to make the podium at least.

William Haggas, trainer of Tamilla
Tamilla wants better ground but she's very well and I expect her to get the trip. She has a nice chance.

Sir Mark Prescott, trainer of Rushford
He's well drawn but his form is a bit in and out and we don't know why. He should run well if they go a real good gallop.
Reporting by David Milnes

Saturday's race previews:

1.45 Haydock: 'John's really happy with him' – will Reach For The Moon make it as a miler?

2.05 Kempton: can Dubai Honour continue his upward curve and cash in on a huge class-drop?

2.55 Haydock: 'He was unlucky last time' – Old Borough Cup trainer quotes and analysis

3.30 Haydock: 'He has a big chance' – top trainers on their Sprint Cup runners

3.45 Ascot: can five-strong Godolphin battalion lay siege to competitive Ascot handicap?

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