Haydock preview: Dark Avenue to dazzle for Knight on handicap debut

Constantino caught the eye on seasonal reappearance and looks the answer to the 1m handicap (17:10).

The Richard Fahey trained colt shaped with bags of promise on racecourse debut when staying on to finish a never nearer four length ninth of 18 to Beautiful Morning at York in a race that has worked out really well.

Beautiful Morning went on to finish fifth to Minding in a Group 1 at Newmarket to be rated 102, the runner-up Very Talented has won since and is rated 98, and the third, fourth, fifth, and seventh have also gone on to score.

That gives the form a solid look and suggests Constantine, who went on to score in good style at Ayr on his other start as a juvenile, was potentially well-treated off an opening handicap mark of 80.

The son of Danehill Dancer confirmed that view when showing up well until weakening late on to finish ninth of 20 to Castle Harbour in a hot class 3 contest at York earlier in the month.

That run should have blown away the cobwebs and put Constantino spot on for this and, having been quickly eased 2lb to a rating of 78, a big run looks assured now that the three-year-old drops down into class 4 company.

Haydock selections

14.10: Tafaakhor
14.40: Mutineer
15.10: Giddy
15.40: Masterpaver
16.10: Dark Avenue (NAP)
16.40: Trainnah
17.10: Constantino
17.45: Darrell Rivers

Related

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