Pace Forecast: Very Strong
Draw Bias: Against High numbers
Pace Angle: Pitney and Desert Falcon are habitual front-runners. With 4+ other forward-goers, this looks a notably overcooked gallop, likely favouring hold-up/trackers like Supreme King and Byzantine Empress.
Draw Angle: Historically, low-to-mid stalls have the edge in strong-pace 7f contests at Haydock on good/firm ground.


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Strongest Contenders

SUPREME KING (93, 9/10) – Solid in big-field York and Chester races this summer. He’s best suited by a well-run 7f and has strong hold-up credentials for this test. Won off this mark on the AW in March.

SWORD (91§, 8/10) – Improving since joining David O’Meara and scored at Leicester latest. Has form over further but may be caught up in the pace war early. Classy and fit, but setup is a slight concern.

DESERT FALCON (91, 7/10) – Likely to press or lead but that won’t be easy here. Fitness proven after a solid return and has ideal going, though he’s disadvantaged by both pace shape and a double-figure draw.



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Main Dangers

ALTMORE (92, 7/10) – Lightly raced and shaped nicely at Newbury. New headgear (blinkers) could unlock more. Strong yard. Needs to settle and travel to deliver a late challenge.

BYZANTINE EMPRESS (91, 7/10) – Often slowly away, but finishing well lately and could be suited to this collapse scenario. Her York run was too bad to be true – excuses last time.

HAVANA PRINCE (91, 6/10) – Good strike rate in 2025. Ideally drawn but unlikely to be best positioned given pace collapse risk. Fast ground helps.



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Outsiders with Potential

STOCKPYLE (91, 6/10) – Has shaped better than form figures suggest. Will be dropped in and should come late. A strong gallop plays to his strengths.

SOLDIERS STAR (91, 6/10) – 3yo in first-time headgear. Beaten favourite when last successful and form has dipped. Needs headgear to spark a return.



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Temperament / Hold-Up Concerns

SUPREME KING, BYZANTINE EMPRESS – Both can race off the speed and may benefit most, though both need luck in running.

SWORD – Can race freely and may waste energy early.



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Trainer/Jockey Notes

David Evans (SUPREME KING, EAGLE DAY): Good record with stayers at 7f–1m.

Julie Camacho: Strong profit-to-level stake when sending one runner, notably with DESERT FALCON.

William Haggas (ALTMORE): Yard hot and this one may be peaking now.



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Runner Ratings (Suitability out of 10)

No Horse Rating Comments

1 Sword 8/10 Proven ability but strong pace may not suit his style.
2 Eagle Day 5/10 Has won four times but looks out of sorts lately.
3 Byzantine Empress 7/10 Setup suits but needs everything to drop right.
4 Stockpyle 6/10 Late closer; could outrun odds if pace collapses.
5 Havana Prince 6/10 In-form but vulnerable to closers late on.
6 Soldiers Star 6/10 First-time visor, 3yo unexposed. Risk/reward profile.
7 Altmore 7/10 Progressive type, blinkers a plus. Tactically versatile.
8 Pitney 2/10 Out of form and poorly placed in pace war.
9 Supreme King 9/10 Ideal setup, consistent, very well treated.
10 Desert Falcon 7/10 Solid horse but vulnerable given draw and setup.
11 Bear Force One 3/10 Veteran, out of form, hard to fancy on current evidence.



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Each-Way Angles (11 runners)

Stockpyle (16/1) – Will be held up, tongue-tied again, and has excuses for York run.
Altmore (9/1) – Blinkers first time, fresh angle, trainer in form.


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Private Tissue (100%)

Supreme King – 9/2

Sword – 6/1

Desert Falcon – 13/2

Altmore – 15/2

Byzantine Empress – 8/1

Havana Prince – 9/1

Stockpyle – 12/1

Soldiers Star – 14/1

Eagle Day – 20/1

Bear Force One – 33/1

Pitney – 66/1



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Summary

A very strong early gallop is forecast, with several pace-forcers clashing, especially Desert Falcon, Pitney, Havana Prince and Eagle Day. That scenario sets things up ideally for closers like Supreme King, who is well-drawn, in form, and ticks the race conditions box. Blinkers could galvanise Altmore, who is less exposed than most and has a touch of class.


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Smart Play

Win bet: Supreme King – very well suited to the pace/trip/setup, in-form, fair mark.
Each-way saver: Altmore – new headgear angle, could find plenty, trainer red-hot.