17:55 Haydock

Saturday 12 May 2018

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

Pertemps Network Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:55 | Winning time: 4m 56.50s

Poker School^t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 131| D

2/1

Hits the frame quite often without getting his head in front, which was the case again at Ludlow last time. Has not been given much respite by the handicapper and remains vulnerable, but stable is back in form.

Form: 542U42-

Robbing The Prey²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 130

8/1

Winner of one of his four starts over fences and was not disgraced when third of eight at Southwell on his latest outing. Not obviously well handicapped, however.

Form: 3F/2163-

Somchine⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: A Thornton| T: J W Mullins| OR: 129

6/1

Recorded his seventh win over fences when scoring on heavy ground at Wincanton in March, beating Little Jon by 3L. A 7lb rise is harsh enough, however, and this faster surface may not be ideal.

Form: 8P5531-

Raven's Tower⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: B Pauling| OR: 129

14/1

Has failed to beat a rival on last three starts, each of them over hurdles. Reverts to fences with plenty to prove.

Form: 221007-

Derintoher Yank^p,h³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 124

9/1

Prominent racer who normally runs well but has become weak in the finish. Down to last winning mark, however.

Form: 222343-

Pearls Legend¹²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: J L Spearing| OR: 124

8/1

Veteran performer who has won four times over fences and has produced all his best form at around 2m. Nicely weighted on his best form.

Form: 1/252P4-

Strongly Suggested¹³⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 123| D

20/1

Pulled up on soft ground at Market Rasen last time, but had previously been running with credit, especially on sound surfaces. May prefer further, but is not out of it.

Form: 86123P-

Little Jon^p¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 123| BF

5/1

Came a cropper at Ludlow last time, but had previously chased home Somchine at Wincanton. He has a 7lb pull for a 3L beating so has to be considered despite his long, losing streak.

Form: 555P2F-

Rear Admiral^t¹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr William Easterby⁽⁵⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 123| D

8/1

Won and finished third on only two starts last season, both on good ground. Feasibly weighted and enters calculations even though he hes reached the veteran stage.

Form: 3414/13-

Forecasts

Poker School (2/1), Little Jon (5/1), Somchine (6/1), Robbing The Prey (8/1), Pearls Legend (8/1), Rear Admiral (8/1), Derintoher Yank (9/1), Raven's Tower (14/1), Strongly Suggested (20/1)

Little Jon is weighted to turn the tables on Somchine, but has not won for ages and is hard to recommend. Strongly Suggested is better over farther and Pearls Legend more effective over shorter, so the vote goes to bottom-weight REAR ADMIRAL, who may be at the veteran stage but ran well last time and acts on this sort of surface. Top-weight Poker School may give him most to do.