Haydock 11:50 – FIN AND GAME
Fin And Game has gone well twice in handicaps at this track, beaten over a longer trip on his return after a breathing operation last month, and may find this a somewhat easier task off the same mark. A step back in trip here should do him no harm and Donald McCain’s charge gets the vote to regain the wining thread ahead of the potentially leniently treated Bang On.
Haydock 12:25 – PRECIOUS CARGO
Precious Cargo quickly made up into a useful hurdler for Nicky Henderson last season, readily landing a Kempton novice before running out an impressive winner at Sandown in March. He finished down the field in the Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on his final start but should come back stronger following a break and looks a cracking chasing prospect for a leading yard.
Haydock 13:00 – IT’S PROBABLY ME
It’s Probably Me is from a good jumping family – by Great Pretender and half-sister to a useful hurdle winner – and has already shown plenty in bumpers for Henry Daly. She was not beaten far in a listed event at Cheltenham on her return last month and, with this step up in trip sure to suit, rates a fascinating hurdling debutante. This is by no means a penalty kick but the fact that she is pitched into a listed event on her debut in this sphere could be significant.
Haydock 13:35 – ROSE SEA HAS
A hurdle winner in France prior to joining Dr Richard Newland’s yard, Rose Sea Has has seemed suited by a drop back to two miles and a first-time hood when getting off the mark for this yard at Sedgefield last month. Newland’s yard rarely fail to work a horse out and, with the probability of more to offer, Rose Sea Has looks the pick of the bunch in this handicap chase.
Haydock 14:05 – BIG SHARK
Big Shark was a runner-up on his only outing in points and overcame inexperience to go one better on his first start under Rules. He looked a good staying prospect on that occasion and did again when brushing aside a couple that have already shown a handy level of form to run out a comfortable winner at Hereford last month. He should have plenty more to offer now pitched into handicaps and looks the clear one to beat here.
Haydock 14:40 – ORCHARDSTOWN CROSS
Orchardstown Cross improved again to complete a hat-trick at Exeter on his reappearance last month and the form of that race is proving strong. He is perhaps worth excusing his latest run at Ascot as things didn’t really go his way after being dropped out in a race where the principals were prominent. He may still be on a good mark and is worth chancing to prove as such for a Jeremy Scott’s in-form yard.
Haydock 15:15 – CHTI BALKO
Chti Balko was afforded a chance by the handicapper and duly obliged when making all at Bangor last month and is hard to rule out with a similarly positive ride on the cards. Donald McCain’s charge remains with some handicapping scope so he’s preferred to Poetic Rhythm, whose career stalled somewhat last season after looking a promising novice hurdler.
Picks Summary
- Haydock 11:50 – FIN AND GAME
- Haydock 12:25 – PRECIOUS CARGO
- Haydock 13:00 – IT’S PROBABLY ME
- Haydock 13:35 – ROSE SEA HAS
- Haydock 14:05 – BIG SHARK
- Haydock 14:40 – ORCHARDSTOWN CROSS
- Haydock 15:15 – CHTI BALKO
*Prices and selections are correct at time of publishing. Subject to change.
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