16:20 Haydock

Saturday 18 February 2017

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2016:55

Betfred 'Double Delight' Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 16:22 | Winning time: 5m 8.97s

Tanit River^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Alan Johns⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 136

11/2

Shaped with promise in all four chases to date, winning the last two of them at Towcester (3m, good) and Chepstow (3m, soft). Beaten off 117 in handicap hurdles, but clearly better in this discipline and is being asked a more serious question today. Should be thereabouts.

Form: 134-221

Captain Redbeard²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 131

4/1

Finished 18 lengths adrift of Palm Grey in receipt of 4lb at Carlisle in a similar contest in December and is now 6lb worse off with that rival after a good win at Wetherby last time. Clearly going the right way and may not have stopped progressing.

Form: 34311P

Commis D'Office²³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 132

20/1

Won both a bumper and a chase on good to soft ground in France and has joined current yard since last seen in June at Auteuil. Not easy to gauge his chance here but has nice enough racing weight, a workable mark and represents a trainer in form, so a market check is strongly advised.

Form: 473-152

Aqua Dude²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Evan Williams| OR: 130

3/1

Was in the process of running a good race when falling at Newbury in December and has made the frame either side of that. Conditions should suit and no reason why he can't be involved in the battle for prize money.

Form: 13U1-P3

Palm Grey²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 129

7/1

Enjoyed his autumn, winning two out of three and was still going well when unseating at Wetherby last time against the progressive Old Grangewood. Versatile with regard to the going and looks to have designs on a third win of the campaign from a yard going well.

Form: 121U44

Casse Tete²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: A Glassonbury| T: G & J Moore| OR: 131

20/1

Easy winner in France in October before joining current yard. Crashed out at Lingfield on his first start for them and perhaps that had left its scars when tried over a trip that ought to have still been within his compass last time. Hard to fancy in a competitive race like this today.

Form: 21F431

Wuff^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 128

3/1

Has not won since doing so here in a novices' hurdle (2m3f, heavy) in January 2014 and looks to have had his problems since then, spending two spells of a year off the track between some of his races. Nonetheless, showed that he can be competitive from this sort of mark and over this trip at WIncanton last month and can't be far off striking again.

Form: 22/6515-

Lofgren⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 124

20/1

Been tried in both chases and hurdles since joining current yard from Enda Bolger in November. Handicapper yet to drop him more than 5lb for those defeats and it may be that he needs further assistance before coming good, although a cautionary market check is the suggestion.

Form: 28575-2

Non-Runners

Blackmail¹⁹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 9

T: A J Martin J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Aqua Dude (3/1), Wuff (3/1), Captain Redbeard (4/1), Tanit River (11/2), Palm Grey (7/1), Blackmail (7/1), Casse Tete (20/1), Lofgren (20/1), Commis D'Office (20/1)

PALM GREY shows a very willing attitude and has done well this season, so his spill at Wetherby last time can be forgiven when, even if he hadn't of gone on to win, he was still in the process of running a good race. Captain Redbeard is another who can go well for the North, with Welsh raider Tanit River a danger. Keep an eye on the market, particularly where British debutant Comis D'office is concerned. 1. Palm Grey 2. Tanit River 3. Captain Redbeard