16:55 Haydock

Saturday 15 April 2017

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2016:5517:30

Challenger Series Mares' Chase Final Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 5m 47.70s

Actinpieces⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 134

5/1

Lots of good form in decent company, but the downside of that is top weight. Still, she is only 3lb higher than when winning at Catterick In February and her ability to act on any ground is a plus.

Form: 382-U61

Kilronan High^t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132

16/1

Unseated her rider on her last two starts and would probably have finished behind Actinpieces on the latest of them. Clearly a dodgy conveyance and others are preferred.

Form: 4210UU

Twenty Eight Guns^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Benjamin Poste⁽³⁾| T: M Scudamore| OR: 130

14/1

Three wins from six starts over fences suggest this is a mare on an upward curve. She was not at her best at Sandown last time, and has to step up on that effort off the same mark.

Form: 121147

Two Smokin Barrels³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: T Scudamore| T: M Scudamore| OR: 127

5/1

Presumably, Tom Scudamore chose this mare ahead of Twenty Eight Guns and Dawnieriver, in which case she is probably the most likely winner for her stable. Successful on four of her last five starts, she looks fairly weighted and may not have stopped improving.

Form: P21/21-4

Still Believing²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: Evan Williams| OR: 127

20/1

Two wins from 16 starts over fences, the latest being at Cheltenham in December. Consistency is her forte, while decent ground holds no terrors. Each-way prospects.

Form: 123342-

Song Saa^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 125

15/2

Decent sort who has won two of her last three starts over fences. Both those wins came with cut in the ground and she may be found wanting if the going dries up.

Form: 0-37P11

Conquer Gold²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 125

9/2

Finally got off the mark for the season at Bangor last month. She seemed to appreciate the better ground that day which augurs well for her chance off five pounds higher.

Form: 21/221-0

Magic Money^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Bannister⁽³⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 117

8/1

Ended a long, losing sequence when landing a Fontwell handicap chase on her latest start. More exposed than several of these and looks vulnerable.

Form: UP2112-

Dawnieriver^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: R T Dunne| T: M Scudamore| OR: 114

9/1

Exposed, but consistent performer over fences with four wins from 15 starts to her name. Her main rival fell when challenging at the last at Southwell on her most recent start, but she may have won in any case and is respected here.

Form: 12419-4

Queen Spud^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: H Cobden| T: H D Daly| OR: 113

14/1

At her peak in the autumn when winning a couple of chases at Fakenham. Not quite so good since and others make more appeal.

Form: 611365-

Upbeat Cobbler¹⁰⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 111

16/1

Has won four of her 13 races over fences, including her last success under this jockey at Chepstow in October. Beaten a long way by Two Smokin Barrels when last seen and needs to bounce back.

Form: 1/11368-

Black Narcissus²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Brian Harding| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 105

22/1

Beaten 9L when second to Twenty Eight Guns at Wincanton in January and reopposes on 8lb betters terms, which may not be enough.

Form: P-3521U

Forecasts

Conquer Gold (9/2), Two Smokin Barrels (5/1), Actinpieces (5/1), Song Saa (15/2), Magic Money (8/1), Dawnieriver (9/1), Queen Spud (14/1), Twenty Eight Guns (14/1), Upbeat Cobbler (16/1), Kilronan High (16/1), Still Believing (20/1), Black Narcissus (22/1)

Trainer Michael Scudamore is clearly keen to win this. He sends out three runners, the best of which looks to be Two Smokin Barrels, with Tom Scudamore on board. Preference, though, is for top weight ACTINPIECES, who brings a touch of class to this contest and continues in good heart. Conquer Gold can go well if the ground remains good.