Backing every John Gosden trained runner at Haydock since 2012 yields a profit of +£38.44 to a £1 stake at a very healthy 26.6% strike rate. In races over 1-mile or beyond, it increases to 29.2% and +£51.10, so there is every reason to believe that MIGHTY ULYSSES can make a winning handicap debut for the yard, despite his lofty rating of 101.
The winner of 2 of his 3 starts in Novice company, he can be forgiven his only defeat which came in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom, where he clearly didn’t handle the undulations. He returned to winning ways in Novice company at Newmarket last week, where he won by 4-lengths in a decent time despite carrying a penalty on his back. That looked to be an above average Novice contest and although an opening mark of 101 is not a gift, he looks to be a pattern class performer on the evidence of that last run and so could prove to be the proverbial “Group Horse” running in a handicap. Benoit De La Sayette retains the ride on Saturday, and he has a 20% strike rate for the yard and is very good value for his 5lb claim. He holds an entry in the St. James’ Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot next month, which shows the high regard in which he is held and if he is to make his mark in group company, he should be capable of winning a Handicap under these terms.
