Align The Stars
Align The Stars stayed on strongly to win the one-mile-six-furlong handicap at Haydock on Saturday. Prominent from early, he travelled well into the home straight for Joe Fanning and he picked up well when he was challenged, seeing off all-comers and going on strongly to the line. Too Bossy For Us emerged from mi-division to mount a challenge, and Flickering Halo came from further back to take third place, but Align The Stars saw them all off, going on again on the run to the line and leaving the impression that he was winning with at least a little in hand.
A full-brother to multiple Group 3 winner Al Aasy, Charlie Johnston's horse was good on his previous run too, when he stayed on well to win a 12-furlong handicap at Thirsk off a mark of 85. He made light of a 7lb hike here and of a step up in grade, he is progressive anyway, but he probably improved again for the step up to a mile and six furlongs, and he left the impression that he could go further. He was fastest of all through the final furlong. The Johnston yard won this race in 2019 with Sir Ron Priestly, and he went on to win a 12-furlong handicap at Goodwood next time before stepping back up in trip and winning the Group 3 March Stakes back at Goodwood in late August, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Align The Stars morph into a Group race performer. Also, his owner apparently has a big affinity with York, so the Melrose Handicap at York could be on his radar. A handicap rating of 99, 7lb higher than the mark off which he raced at Haydock, remains workable.
Haydock, 6th July 2024
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