12:35 Haydock

Saturday 7 July 2018

All12:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:05

bet365 Handicap

Off time: 12:35 | Winning time: 3m 0.67s

(5)

Yabass^t¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Edward Greatrex| T: A Watson| OR: 99

33/1

Annihilated his field at Ripon in April from a mark of 83 and has continued to improve on that in defeat since, despite being highly tried. This is another tough contest and more will be needed again if he is to pick up some more prize money.

Form: 2-21265

(7)

Lynwood Gold¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 96

20/1

Top and tailed 2017 with wins at Epsom and Newmarket, the latter over 1m1f (good to firm). Like Yabass, was well held in Group 2 company last time, but not ruled out if he can bounce back on this slightly less exacting test. Stays 1m6f.

Form: 21-7530

(1)

Austrian School²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92| BF| D

4/1

Boasts a 50% strike rate so far and beat Yabass over this trip at Chelmsford in May. Now 1lb worse off with that rival and although beaten from 1lb higher on his last two runs, he is consistent and is entitled to consideration.

Form: 31-1144

(9)

Making Miracles¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R Kingscote| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 91

9/2

Off the mark at Leicester two starts ago (1m4f, good to firm), when winning a 0-85 easily. 11lb rise saw him beaten almost 8L in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot last time, but may still be more to come. Not ruled out up in trip.

Form: 25-2217

(6)

Ghostwatch³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: B Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 90| D

9/2

Won at both Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) and Sandown (1m6f, good) in the spring. Up 8lb for the latter, when he stayed on strongly. On the right track and entitled to serious consideration.

Form: 33-131

(10)

Rude Awakening^v⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 90

9/2

Career is going the way of so many handled by his trainer, winning on his handicap debut and then rising through the ranks. Easy 6L winner over a similar trip at Doncaster last time. Up 10lb, but may not yet have stopped improving.

Form: 86-1221

(11)

Unwritten⁷⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: P J McDonald| T: K R Burke| OR: 88

66/1

9L winner of a Pontefract maiden (1m, heavy) in September, but so far unable to better that effort. Still very early days but well beaten here on his reappearance and has a bit to prove, especially on fast ground.

Form: 415-3

(2)

Perfect Illusion¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 87

16/1

Began well, winning twice over 1m4f at Lingfield in the winter. Has been highly tried in three recent turf runs, falling short in Group and Listed races and was also beaten 10L in the King George V last time. Has stamina to prove. Stiff task.

Form: 11870

(8)

Diocletian³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: D Fentiman| T: A M Balding| OR: 83

9/1

Has some of this field behind when scoring at Doncaster (1m6½f, soft) last month.. 4lb rise looks fair. Handled good to firm on only previous try. Still improving and enters calculations.

Form: 965-31

(3)

Sexy Beast²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: K T O'Neill| T: E De Giles| OR: 82| CD

12/1

Scored over C&D on being stepped up to this trip last month. The fourth that day went very close next time, so the form looks solid. Has a 7lb rise to contend with, but may be more to come from him over this trip.

Form: 254921

(4)

Elysees¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: David Egan| T: A King| OR: 78| BF| D

12/1

Won at Sandown (1m6f, good to firm) on his penultimate start and was not far off that level under a penalty at Chelmsford last time. Nudged up a further 2lb and in a stronger race, he will need some improvement to figure.

Form: 541713

Forecasts

Austrian School (4/1), Making Miracles (9/2), Rude Awakening (9/2), Ghostwatch (9/2), Diocletian (9/1), Sexy Beast (12/1), Elysees (12/1), Perfect Illusion (16/1), Lynwood Gold (20/1), Yabass (33/1), Unwritten (66/1)

A competitive event in prospect and RUDE AWAKENING looks worth siding with again. Sir Mark Prescott's gelding has a hefty enough rise to cope with, but he did it very easily at Doncaster last time and looks to have this in him. Ghostwatch looks a likely threat along with Diocletian and Sexy Beast. Yabass cannot be ruled out and the same applies to Austrian School.