Haydock 17th February
By UK Flat / AW (Northern)
NORTHERN - Haydock Park
3.15 - Handicap Chase - Class 1 - 3 miles 4 and 1/2 furlongs - 11 run - Heavy
THis race could be run 10 times and probably have 8 different winners. There are a few mudlarks who come from the Welsh National at Christmas and a few unexposed types who may or may not relish conditions but who surely won't be bottomed out once their chance has gone. It's not really a Grand National Trial these days but one of the tips has an Entry and some decent Aintree form already this season.
The two 7 year olds Snipe and Yeah Man are feared but in uncharted territory, My Silver Lining and Iron Bridge would be strongly fancied on Soft Going but may not be ones to flog too hard if and when their chance has gone.
On the day I think IWILLDOIT is a cracking each way punt as a genuine mud lover with proven stamina off a nice mark with a 5lbs Claim and it's all about rhythm and jumping on the day. At bigger Odds CHAMBARD has a National Entry and has already had a nice win for us in the Autumn in the mud at Aintree. It would need to win this probably to get in to the top 34 (smaller fields now) for the big race , especially with so many Elliott declarations and a big run here would be no surprise at all.
Tips (1) Iwilldoit / (2s) Chambard
3.50 Handicap Hurdle - Class 2 - 3 miles and 1/2 furlong -10 run - Heavy
At the top end of the market Punte Del Este is upped 6 furlongs and 10lbs and Cuthbert Diddle is upped the same sort of distance and 8lbs. They may well hose up and may be worth a crafty small reverse F/Cast bet. There isn't a lot else in the field ith proven distance credentials in the mud apart from a couple at big prices who do actually stack up well under deep analysis.
FOILLIAN is a Course and Distance winner who won this race in 2022 off a mark of 116, it's disappointed more often than not since but a wind operation and the use of a tongue tie and cheekpieces ensures that they have given him every chance of returning to some sort of form off a nice mark. SCHALKE runs for the always impressive Rebecca Menzies who is never afraid of having a tilt with something at big prices, this one was impressive winning off a mark of 116 in heavy ground last season, has also had a wind operation and gets in here off 118 and a handy 5lbs claim. It could easily have been in an easier race midweek so an entry here may be a tip in itself.
(1s) Foillian / (2s) Schalke