Key questions as Breton Rock bids to strike at fifth attempt in Group 3 prize

3.35 Haydock
John of Gaunt Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) | 7f | 4yo | ITV4/RTV

Veteran Breton Rock makes a remarkable fifth appearance in the joint feature on the Haydock card, his best effort coming when second way back in 2014.

Since then David Simcock's stable stalwart has failed three times including twice when sent off favourite, most recently when fifth two years ago.

The nine-year-old showed he retains his ability, when third of four in a Listed contest over a mile at Windsor last time with the reopposing Mitchum Swagger behind.

Simcock said: "We know he handles soft ground when others don't, so hopefully he can be thereabouts as he always is. We were pleased with his comeback run and he should enjoy not having to carry a Group 2 penalty."

Voyage to sail into the sunset?

Safe Voyage is out to sink a few more established names in his first crack at Group company and is already able to boast a course-and-distance hat-trick.

The John Quinn-trained improver accounted for the reopposing Mankib when the pair met in Listed company on easy ground last time.

Receiving 3lb from the runner-up that day, Safe Voyage also had the reopposing Suedois (fourth) and Larchmont Lad (seventh) further in arrears.

Quinn said: "Safe Voyage is in very good form. He loves Haydock and loves cut in the ground and, although this is a better race again from last time, we expect him to put up a good show."

CanMankib turn the tables?

When clashing with Safe Voyage last time, Mankib was undone by a 3lb penalty he incurred for a Listed victory at Newbury in 2018, but he has no burden this time.

Trainer William Haggas is a master with five-year-olds possessing Mankib's type of profile and the entire son of Tamayuz has a first Group triumph as his big aim this season.

Haggas said of the Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned colt: "He'll love the ground but is drawn wide and Jim Crowley may have to work him over and bide his time. He has a decent chance in an open race."

What they say

Clive Cox, trainer of Snazzy Jazzy and Shepherd Market
Snazzy Jazzy carries a penalty on account of his win in a Listed contest in France last year. That was on soft ground, so this surface will hold no fears, and this is the first chance he'll have to race in these conditions. This is a step up in grade for Shepherd Market, who ran a pleasing comeback at Lingfield and won't mind the ground.

Richard Spencer, trainer of Keyser Soze
It's a step up in grade but he ran well at Lingfield last time and we're hopeful he'll go on soft ground. He ran on good to soft at Newbury last year and was only just beaten so we're hopeful he'll run a nice race.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Mitchum Swagger
He's not too well treated against some of the others but should revel in the easy conditions.

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