Haydock 2.20

 

A few in here have obvious chances and there is the sub-plot of the Buick/Murphy Jockey title race that looks a genuine hum-dinger.

 

Buick rides Chairmanoftheboard for Channon and on it's own merits the horse has an outstanding chance, the title race hype though will see anything the 2 protaganists sit on being "over-bet" especially closer to race times if they have early winners so I can leave that one alone purely on price given the competitive field.

 

Oisin Murphy rides Beyond Equal for the Kittow yard, another with a decent form chance but far better suited to better going so on that basis I would leave well alone whoever was in the saddle. Russco is on a 6 timer for the McCains but in a lot deeper here, although high number draws have had an advantage in soft Going, much depends on where the pace is.  

 

Call Me Ginger for the Goldie yard who specialise in nice winners of decent races at this track is drawn in 9, a Distance winner and some good form at this trip, I just feel that having seen a mark rise from 75 to 83 after a good season a mark today of 87 may just hold it back a bit too much. Cold Stare for O'Meara is another Course specialist, up 5lbs though for a recent win, that's only a pound above it's best Course winning mark of 92, but being drawn in Stall 1 puts me off enough to leave alone today. Raatea is another in form horse for Julie Camacho but one I think would just prefer better Going than is likely. Thaler is the most progressive horse in the race but at the price and in the conditions I want to side with horses with more experience, more mature legs, soft ground and autumn form and off nice marks.

 

I was left with a short list of 3 and can't totally leave out AIR RAID despite the skinny price and the fact I think it could be heavily backed. A Course and Distance winner of this race last year, nice draw in Stall 11 who made an excellent return after a lay off last week. Looks set up for this IF the race doesn't come too soon and I will not put anyone off a crafty each way saver bet, if that's your style of betting.

 

My 2 picks though are GOLDEN APOLLO and  AIR RAID.

 

GOLDEN APOLLO is drawn in Stall 13, has some winning form on Soft and Good to Soft earlier in it's career and really no excuses Going wise. Has not run that well since good early season form but as a result it's handicap mark is now at a nice level and we know how good the Yard are at picking up this mid level Sprints when their horses are off marks they can win off. I'll be disappointed if not running in to an enhanced place at least. 

 

LINCOLN PARK has won over Course and at the Distance, it's a bit above best Course form mark but Tom Dascombe is always to be feared here, Jane Elliott is highly competent too and the horse certainly improves a few pounds every time it encounters a cut in the ground.

 

TRACKERS - Golden Apollo + Lincoln Park (play Air Raid in a Tricast perm at least and see notes re possible saver bet on it).