Totesport Silver Bowl Betting Preview

Mark Johnston, who sent out the winner of the competitive ten-furlong handicap at Goodwood on Friday with Record Breaker, can land another valuable three-year-old handicap with the unbeaten Regal Parade in the totesport.com Silver Bowl at Haydock on Saturday, for which he is a best-priced 13/2 with Paddy Power. The selection landed back-to-back races on the all-weather, both of which have worked out well from a form perspective, and he make a successful transition to turf when accounting for nine rivals in a well-contested handicap at Newmarket earlier this month, form which was franked by the subsequent victory of the fifth home, Aahayson. Johnston was considering running the gelding in a Listed contest at Sandown next week, so clearly think he's a Pattern-class performer in the making, in which case he really ought to make light of the 7lb rise he incurred for that last-time-out success. Furthermore, recent stats regarding this race augur well for those drawn high, so his berth in stall 16 is a plus point. The one thing that would help is if the forecast rain hits the Merseyside track. Regal Parade looked as though he'd prefer a bit of give underfoot when scoring at Newmarket, which is to be expected given that he's by Pivotal, whose progeny relish cut in the ground. However, the ground won't be as quick at Haydock as it was on the Rowley Mile. Commensurate with a race offering a prize of £62,320 to the winner, this is competitive fayre. There are dangers aplenty, none more so than Smart Instinct, who hails from last year's winning stable. He too boasts a high draw and should strip fitter on Saturday following a highly encouraging reappearance effort at York's Dante meeting just over a week ago. Topweight Tobosa is likely to find the concession of 11lb to Regal Parade too stiff a task, but Willie Jarvis' charge should be in the thick of things. The Tobougg colt, understandably outclassed in the 2000 Guineas last time, has to be in with a major shout here judged on his effort in the Free Handicap at Newmarket previously when failing by a short-head to overhaul Prime Defender. Kay Gee Be is on an upward curve and merits respect, along with Thunder Storm Cat, who is confidently expected to turn the tables on Aqmaar, whom he finished third behind at Newmarket three weeks ago. Paul Cole's charge looked unlucky having encountered traffic problems at a crucial stage there and, meeting John Dunlop's runner on 3lb better terms, he should gain revenge. Verdict - 1pt Regal Parade @ 13/2 (Paddy Power)