Haydock Horse Racing Tips & Predictions For Saturday 31st May 2025

Our horse racing writer makes his way through the seven race card at Haydock Park on John Of Gaunt Day, with several fancies in action at the Lancashire track.

Haydock’s seven-race premier fixture features a couple of competitive Group 3 contests, including the John Of Gaunt Stakes (15:33) for older horses. The race is a seven furlong affair, and is open to horses aged four years or older.

Here is your guide to the full card on what should be an exciting horse racing betting fixture on Saturday afternoon:

1.13pm – 1m4f Handicap

The obvious starting point for this race is the David O’Meara-trained STRESSFREE, who ironically has given his supporters plenty of stressful moments in his last three runs.

After two close 1m2f handicap defeats to City Of Delight at Doncaster at Epsom, there was more agony at York when the five-year-old went down by a whisker to Almosh’her in a 1m4f handicap at the Dante meeting.

He should be on the premises once more at Haydock Park.

Dangers: Albany and Fox Journey.

1.48pm – 6f Reverence Handicap

Veteran DAKOTA GOLD showed he is no back number when scoring nicely in a competitive renewal of the 6f Armstrong Memorial Handicap at Ripon.

His current price of 14/1 looks over generous, and he is a solid each-way play.

Danger: Fine Interview

2.23pm – 5f Achilles Stakes (Listed Race)

Clive Cox’s JASOUR has started the last couple of seasons like a house on fire and I expected him to be fully tuned for this Listed sprint at Haydock Park.

Winner of last years Group 3 Pavilion Stakes, Jim Crowley takes the ride once more.

Danger: Leovanni

2.58pm – 1m4f Pinnacle Stakes (Group 3)

The 111-rated BEAUTIFUL LOVE is slowly coming to hand this season, and she can capitalise upon her recent second place in the Middleton Fillies’ Stakes at York behind See The Fire.

Admittedly she was well beaten that day, as were the rest of the field, but this drop down in class should help.

Danger: Estrange

3.33pm – 7f John Of Gaunt Stakes (Group 3)

Winner of this race four years ago, Ralph Beckett’s KINROSS is still a horse capable of dining at the top table and he can pick up the silverware again at the weekend.

Regular top performances in the Prix de la Foret have proved the Kingman gelding can still compete against the best and he can be up there in the vanguard in this seven furlong sprint.

Danger: Audience

4.08pm – 7f Fillies’ Handicap

Kevin Ryan and Tom Eaves have a good record for Jaber Abdullah at Haydock, and their filly MAGIC BASMA can put up a bold show in her first handicap on Saturday.

After springing a 25/1 surprise at Carlisle, then losing by a nostril at Newcastle, the youngster didn’t appear to enjoy her end of season trip to Newmarket.

Ryan will have her raring to go on her handicap debut.

Danger: Mostar Dreams

4.43pm – 1m Sankey Handicap

AL SHABABI won his Windsor maiden with plenty to spare and he is probably the one they all have to fear in his opening handicap race.

Trained by Owen Burrows, whose stable is in pretty hot form at the moment, and rider William Buick is certainly the man to be with around Haydock at present.

Danger: Sea Founder

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at time of writing*