Inside the yard: Riders and trainers give the lowdown on their John of Gaunt Stake runners at Haydock

FIRST's racing tipster Graham Clark has been inside the training yards all week, finding out how riders and handlers are feeling ahead of this weekend's John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock this weekend. Here's what he found out. 

Discover: Best horse racing betting sites

Alyanaabi - 3.33 Haydock (7/2 odds Ladbrokes) 

Owen Burrows hopes Alyanaabi can continue his solid start to the season on his return to Group race level in the Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock Park on Saturday. 

Plenty was expected from the son of Too Darn Hot last season, however after finishing fifth on his comeback in the 2000 Guineas he failed to build on that effort in three further outings. 

After undergoing a gelding operation over the winter the Shadwell Estate Company-owned four-year-old returned to action with victory over course and distance in the Listed Spring Trophy Stakes earlier this month. 

And with that effort fresh in the mind Lambourn handler Burrows feels he can add to that success in the seven furlong Group Three prize on route to bigger and better things. 

Burrows said: “I thought it was a very smooth performance in the Listed race over course and distance last time. We are going back up to Group race level and this looks a strong Group Three with Audience and Kinross in there. 

“Hopefully the ground will dry out as Jim (Crowley) is adamant that he is better on decent ground, but he was second to City Of Troy on soft ground in the Dewhurst when he was younger.

“He has always been a good workhorse despite having a disappointing end to last season. It looked like he was getting taken off his feet when they quickened up over a mile last year so that’s why we stepped him up in trip, but it has been clear he needed to come back. 

“He is drawn in stall one which is much better than better drawn out in 12. I imagine Jim will ride him pretty much as he did last time, but if something wants to come around him and go quicker then we will let them.

“His work has been pleasing us and showing all the right signs so it was good to see him do it on the track last time out. 

“He should have taken a step forward for his last run so let’s hope he can carry on his productive season.”

Read: How to bet on horse racing online

Audience - 3.33 Haydock (10/3 odds Ladbrokes)

Among those in opposition is last year’s impressive Lockinge Stakes winner Audience, who will be making his first start at this level since winning the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket in July 2023. 

The John and Thady Gosden-trained six year old was last seen finishing fifth over six furlongs in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan last month. 

However, his regular race rider Robert Havlin is confident the step back up in trip will see the gelded son of Iffraaj in a better light. 

Havlin said: “He travelled well in the Al Quoz as he is not a slow horse by any means but when the quickened he was just caught flat footed, however he was staying on towards the end. They put him out of his comfort zone mid race, and that is what he usually does. 

“I think we will be sticking to seven furlongs or an easy mile with him now. This is a good starting point back in Britain for him, as long as the ground is not too soft, as he clearly likes fast ground. It looks like it is drying weather so he should be fine. 

“You have to get inside his head. When it looks like being hard he makes it easy, and when it looks like it should be easy he makes it hard - that is how I describe him. 

“When everything comes together though he is a very good horse. As he is getting older he is starting to settle down and he is much more relaxed to deal with. We would have never been able to take him to Dubai before this year as he was not a very good traveller. 

“He feels in great form and he has been jumping and kicking so we are keeping our fingers crossed for a good run.”

Mount Athos - 3.33 Haydock (20/1 odds Ladbrokes)

Mount Athos has a bit to find on form, however with ground conditions set to suit - along with racing around a bend - his trainer James Tate believes the son of Dark Angel could be one for those seeking a bit of value in the race.  

Tate said: “He is in fantastic form and seven furlong races around the bend are his specialty. It is a very tough race, but the ground should be ideal for him and he will be giving it his best shot. 

“He was second at Thirsk last time, trying to give a little bit of weight away, and he slipped up passing the line. But he is fine now. 

“The ground that day was probably quick enough for him and we think the ground here should suit him ideally. There are not many races like this for him.”