Haydock 4.25
By UK Flat / AW (Northern)
NORTHERN - Haydock 4.25 - Novice Handicap Hurdle - Class 4 - 3 miles 1/2 furlong - 11 run - Soft / Heavy
The favourite is ONE BIG BANG who has some solid looking irsih form, now in the UK and not overly badly trated by the handicapper, so a win saver to be had if you want one as it clearly gets the trip and enjoys the mud!
Jalsico carries a 7lbs penalty for a Class 5 win and doesn;t really appeal to me, Hill Of Tara is a 4 time winner but looks very exposed of the new handicap mark and may have done its winning for now. Awesome Foursome also looks a bit exposed and I'm not convinced it needs 3 miles round a stamina sapping Course like this.
CREAM OF THE WEST looks well worth an investment at around 4-5/1 as it clearly gets the trip and Going won't be an excuse. I'm most keen though on Lucinda Russell's FIVEAFTERFOUR, it has won and placed at Ayr, a Course with an almost identical configuration to here and has 3 mile P2P form in mud and few have these have that sort of solid stamina proving foundation. I'll be very disappointed if this one isn't placed at least.
Tips (1) Fiveafterfour / (2) Cream Of The West