17:55 Haydock
Saturday 13 May 2017
All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:2517:55
Pertemps Network Handicap Chase
- 5YO plus  |  Class 3  |  2m 2f 211y  |  Good (Good to Soft in places)  |  8 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 17:55Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 52.8s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Previous winner at the Cheltenham Festival in 2015 when he took the Grand Annual off a mark of 143 by 4L. Not really shown anything approaching that since and although he did manage a win at Newton Abbot two starts ago he's been pulled-up in his two subsequent starts. Hard to rely on these days his better form has come away from bad ground.
Always looks at his best at Cheltenham and won there in November in the shallow waters of a veterans' race. Didn't jump that well last time again in veterans company and looked a little awkward under pressure although he could still be capable of winning something like this.
His yard appear a little quiet at the moment and he didn't exactly impress when returning from a break last time out at Chepstow. Last win came in this race though and it's possible that a return to this C&D may spark a revival off just a 1lb higher mark that he won off last year.
Another former Grand Annual winner to grace this field but he's not the same horse as he was then for his new connections. Best form has come over 2m and he would have found the 2m5f at Aintree last time out far too much of a test. His mark drops another 3lb here but does need the ground to stay on the good side.
Not seen now since Xmas the increase in the weights for winning a Worcester handicap chase in September has looked beyond him in two subsequent starts. This trip looks as though it may suit though and the yard are in much better form now than when he was last seen on the course.
Likes to go from the front and has won four times over fences with the last win coming just over a year ago at Ayr in a weak race for the grade. That win has pushed him up in the handicap to a mark that for the most part he's looked held off although he may well have won if he had stood up at Cheltenham in December (too far out to be really certain). Would be dangerous if gaining a soft lead although he can spoil his chance by running a little free.
Often travels strongly in his races but more often than not he finds very little when asked for his finishing effort and that very much was the case at Wetherby last time out. That run was better than his finishing position but the effort or lack of it at the end of the race was there for all to see. His jumping can also leave something to be desired and he often makes mistakes.
In good form earlier in the year when dominating a couple of small fields around Southwell on bad ground off lower marks. More patiently ridden last time out over a longer trip he reverts to a shorter trip here but in a higher grade than he usually runs in and faces competition for the lead.
Forecasts
Never Up (5/2), Crookstown (9/2), De Faoithesdream (6/1), Astracad (6/1), Mont Royale (7/1), Purple 'n Gold (8/1), Solar Impulse (10/1), Next Sensation (12/1)
Not a very appealing betting contest to end the eight race card with and solid options are in short supply. The presence of Next Sensation and De Faoithesdream ensure that this should be run at a good pace although they could end up taking one another on and setting the race up for a closer. There are a few in this that are likely to travel off a strong pace it just becomes a question of how much will they find when asked for their effort with Crookstown and Purple ‘N Gold coming under that banner. Never Up is another that may well get involved up front and while ASTRACAD jumped poorly last time out he has shown himself capable of winning still and is back on his last winning mark.
- Astracad
- De Faoithesdream
- Never Up
Prize Money
1st: £9,747.002nd: £2,862.003rd: £1,431.004th: £716.00
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