14:35 Haydock

Saturday 12 May 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:2517:55

Pertemps Network Stayers' Handicap

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 3m 7.73s

(7)

Cape Caster^t1²¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: David Probert| T: Evan Williams| OR: 87

10/1

Winning hurdler/chaser who is effective on the Flat. Last seen in October when he finished a creditable ninth of 34 in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket. Down 1lb and might find this trip a bit sharp on decent ground. Tongue tied for the first time.

Form: 45132/9-

(3)

Amlad²²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Jim Crowley| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 87

11/4

Both career wins came in April last year over 1m2f. Held off this sort of mark when last seen in the autumn and pedigree does not suggest this step up in trip is what he needs. First run since being gelded.

Form: 128428-

(6)

Melinoe²⁰⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 86| BF| D

13/8

Only win in six attempts on turf came over this trip at Nottingham last August. Ran well off higher marks in three subsequent outings and is open to improvement with relatively few miles on the clock.

Form: 431223-

(5)

Inn The Bull³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: M Harley| T: A King| OR: 86| BF| D

5/1

Reeled off a hat-trick in middle-distance AW handicaps before finding the step up to 2m stretching his stamina at Kempton last month. Has something to find off the same career-high mark, but drop in trip will help on return to turf.

Form: 20-1110

(4)

Uber Cool⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: G Lee| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 82| CD

7/2

Won three times last season, including on final start over C&D. Has not been in quite the same form in two runs this season and was behind Bedrock when seventh at Doncaster last time.

Form: 1131-67

Non-Runners

(1)

Bedrock⁷

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: I Jardine J: D Nolan

(8)

Venue⁵⁵⁵

Weight: 9-5| Age: 8

T: D McCain Jnr J: T Eaves

(2)

I'm A Believer¹²

Weight: 8-5| Age: 4

T: M R Channon J: Jane Elliott

Forecasts

Melinoe (13/8), Amlad (11/4), Uber Cool (7/2), Bedrock (7/2), Inn The Bull (5/1), Venue (8/1), I'm A Believer (8/1), Cape Caster (10/1)

I'm A Believer has plenty to find in this company, Cape Caster may need further, Amlad has stamina to prove and Venue is returning from a long lay-off, so each is opposable. Bedrock should confirm recent Doncaster placings with Uber Cool and Inn The Bull will be happier dropped in trip, but the selection is MELINOE, who is open to improvement as a four-year-old and is trained by a master when it comes to staying handicappers.