Main Aim primed to hit target

Sir Michael Stoute-trained five-year-old has yet to win since landing this Haydock prize last year but has done little wrong.

Main Aim developed into a top-class performer for Sir Michael Stoute last season and is strongly fancied to stage a repeat success in the Timeform Jury Stakes (3.30) at Haydock Park today.
He failed to win another race after landing this contest in emphatic fashion 12 months ago, but showed improved form nonetheless, notably when chasing home Fleeting Spirit in the group one July Cup at Newmarket.
Main Aim showed that he retains all of his ability when a close third in group two company on his reappearance at York, staying on strongly but just finding six furlongs on that sharp track too much of a test of speed. This return to farther looks sure to suit, while it will not be a problem for this versatile performer if the forecast rain materialises.
Lord Shanakill travelled strongly for a long way before fading into third behind Paco Boy in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and has good form claims, but he has run his best races on a fast surface and the main threat may come from Mia’s Boy, who can reverse recent course-and-distance form with Lovelace if the ground eases.
Becqu Adoree, a French import, can make a winning debut in Britain in the EBF Joan Westbrook Pinnacle Stakes (3.00). Successful in four of her eight starts in her native country, she ran a cracker when beaten 2½ lengths into sixth in the group one Prix Vermeille at Longchamp in October. A repeat of that form would make her hard to beat.
Inxile can bounce back to his best to land the sports360.co.uk Achilles Stakes (2.00). He showed good speed to beat Prime Defender at Doncaster in March before disappointing when sixth behind the same rival at York. This drop back to the minimum trip should suit and he will be hard to pass if allowed to dominate early on.
David Nicholls, his trainer, will have high hopes of a quick double through Mister Manannan in the J W Lees Sandy Lane Stakes (2.30). However, his best form has come over five furlongs and at this longer trip Layla’s Hero, a former stablemate, can come out on top. The latter won five times for Nicholls last season and appeared not to handle the all-weather surface when below par on his reappearance. Subsequently switched to David Simcock, the up-and-coming Newmarket trainer, Layla’s Hero can get off the mark for the year.
The best bet of the day is Raincoat in the Sports 360 Sports Advertising Specialists Handicap (4.45). He has shaped better than the result suggests on both starts this season, staying on strongly to take fifth in listed company at Nottingham on his reappearance and then never able to land a blow having been held up last in the Chester Cup. He made good progress in the latter race before finding his path blocked on the home turn and was far from disgraced in a race where those up with the early pace dominated throughout. Classy in his younger days, he retains enough ability to take advantage of a slipping handicap mark.
At Newmarket, the in-form Jack My Boy can take the coral.co.uk Sprint (3.20). He has been much sharper since fitted with blinkers on his past two starts and beat Bagamoyo with something in reserve in a similar race over course and distance last time. He rates a fair bet at 12-1 with William Hill.
Source:The Times