Archie Watson does particularly well at Haydock, operating at a 16.7% strike rate, a figure that increases to 25% with horses aged 4 and over, so it is perhaps significant that he starts GLEN SHIEL here in 2022. He has been an admirable servant for the yard, winning the Champion Sprint at Ascot in 2020 along with a host of other top-class efforts. Although he is now an 8-year-old, he showed no obvious signs of regressing last season, finishing 2nd in both the Diamond Jubilee and the Champions Sprint. He has a great relationship with Hollie Doyle and on these terms, he is very hard to oppose. The fact that he didn’t win a race in 2021 means that he is able to race here unpenalized and looks to have been found the perfect opportunity to get his head back in front. At least 9lbs “well-in” with his 4 rivals, he should outclass this field.
