16:55 Haydock

Saturday 12 May 2018

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

Pertemps Network Handicap

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 1m 43.89s

(1)

Alfa McGuire¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 90| BF

10/1

Dual winner last season, but was out of his depth behind the brilliant Saxon Warrior in the autumn. There was no shame in that and he made a pleasing reappearance when just touched off at Beverley last month. Up another 2lb.

Form: 13170-2

(6)

Breath Caught²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: R M Beckett| OR: 89| D

5/6

Landed a Doncaster maiden on his final start of last season and was a good winner in handicap company on his return to action at Newmarket. A 5lb rise is fair and this progressive sort looks a major player.

Form: 821-1

(9)

Jazeel²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: M Harley| T: M R Channon| OR: 86| D

11/1

Several good displays during his juvenile campaign, but no obvious excuse for his well-beaten sixth of 10 in a Newmarket handicap last month. Needs to improve off 1lb lower.

Form: 31822-6

(8)

Global Conqueror²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 85| BF

5/1

Well-bred colt who is a without a win after five races and was a disappointing favourite when only fifth of eight in a 1m2f maiden on his return at Nottingham last month. Drop in trip should help considerably.

Form: 6322-5

(4)

Rum Runner²⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Hannon| OR: 83

8/1

Successful in a 16-runner Sandown maiden in September and may have found the ground too soft on his handicap debut at Doncaster on his final start of last season. Unexposed and has possibilities.

Form: 0417-

(3)

Mont Kinabalu¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 82

12/1

Second win, and his first in handicap company, when touching off Alfa McGuire at Beverley. Reopposes on 1lb worse terms so it will surely be close between the pair again.

Form: 2317-31

(2)

Running Cloud^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: David Probert| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 79

33/1

Debut victory on the AW at Wolverhampton, but has not really stepped up in four runs on turf. Stamina ran out in a 1m2f handicap at Sandown on his reappearance and this drop in trip should suit.

Form: 1535-5

(5)

Kraka²⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Liam Jones| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 77

14/1

Four-race maiden who has showed definite signs of talent. Interesting to see how he fares after being gelded and on his first start in a handicap for a trainer who has a good record at this venue.

Form: 7320-

Non-Runners

(7)

Lawn Ranger¹⁵

Weight: 9-6| Age: 3

T: M J Attwater J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Breath Caught (5/6), Global Conqueror (5/1), Rum Runner (8/1), Alfa McGuire (10/1), Jazeel (11/1), Mont Kinabalu (12/1), Kraka (14/1), Lawn Ranger (14/1), Running Cloud (33/1)

There should be little between Alfa Maguire and Mont Kinabalu on their recent running at Beverley and both are respected, but they will be hard pressed to see off the progressive BREATH CAUGHT, who has won his last two races, latterly in handicap company, and seems likely to take another step forward. Global Conqueror and Rum Runner are capable of better than they have shown, while it would be no surprise to see the lightly-weighted Running Cloud and Kraka get involved.