Elhaame might just go some distance to proving worth his hefty looking 160k price tag today. He improved significantly last season for the step up to 10 furlongs and that trip might be the key to this horse.
Trainer Luca Cumani has raced Elhaame just the twice this season and on both occasions over 1m4f where he ran much too freely before not lasting home. The step back in trip allied with a faster pace might see him do the business today.
Last time out at Royal Ascot Elhaame finished 6th behind Group horse in waiting Arab Spring and Salutation who he re-opposes today five lengths ahead on him in second place. Salutation has run well at Goodwood since Royal Ascot but has gone up 6lbs whilst Elhaame has been dropped 2lbs since he raced against Salutation at Royal Ascot if you still follow me! That is a full 8lbs swing at the weights and with both horses available at 8/1 the value surely lies with Elhaame.
Of course it’s not a two horse race but six of the past seven winners have come from the 3 or 4 year old age group and that is a very strong statistic. On top of that some of the older horses may be just putting the finishing touches to their Yorkshire Ebor Festival preparations. All in all, on a tricky days racing Luca Cumani is a great trainer to side with especially with his horses in cracking form.
Selection: 1 Point *EW Elhaame Haydock 14:20 at 8/1 generally
Best of luck,
Nicky
