14:10 Haydock

Thursday 9 August 2018

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

Smarkets Betting Exchange Handicap

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 2m 11.53s

(7)

Assanilka¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: B A Curtis| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 70

9/2

Improved for a break last time out when staying on and slightly unlucky fourth at Sandown. Still lightly raced at this trip but appears to stay it so best may be yet to come.

Form: 320774

(1)

Rebel Cause²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Barry McHugh| T: J R Holt| OR: 68

4/1

Over two years since lone success in an AW maiden at Wolverhampton although lightly raced since. Better effort latest when 5½L fourth of nine at Hamilton. More needed but gets further aid from the handicapper.

Form: 9578-64

(4)

X Rated²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Vincent C Y Ho| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 68| D

6/1

Gone 19 races without success including 10 this season. Made the frame five times this season and latest run at Chester a rare below par effort. Handicapper now relents a little and looks capable if he bounces back.

Form: 385339

(5)

Maroc^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: R Kingscote| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 67

11/4

Maiden of 27 races but had a couple of seconds this term including over C&D here last time out. Mark unchanged so should be involved although brave to suggest he is finally going to break his duck.

Form: 24-5252

(2)

Berlusca⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: Aled Beech⁽⁷⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 66| CD

3/1

Impressive C&D winner in June who ran well again twice here subsequently. Handicap has continued to rise so difficult to say he's well treated but has the most consistent form this term so respected nevertheless.

Form: 513344

(3)

Gealach Ghorm^p,h⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁵⁾| T: Sarah Hollinshead| OR: 57

11/1

10-race maiden made the frame for the first time two starts back at Beverley before disappointing on rattling fast ground at Bath. Beverley form would give him a squeak so all about bouncing back.

Form: 7-70535

Non-Runners

(6)

Purple Rock⁵

Weight: 9-8| Age: 6

T: Miss Gay Kelleway J: Jason Hart

Forecasts

Maroc (11/4), Berlusca (3/1), Purple Rock (7/2), Rebel Cause (4/1), Assanilka (9/2), X Rated (6/1), Gealach Ghorm (11/1)

X RATED can make it 20th time lucky for the winning-most trainer of the season Mark Johnston. He was a shade disappointing latest but previously had been a model of consistency and the 2lb he gets back can make the difference. Purple Rock was unlucky not to end a drought of his own last time out at Chelmsford. The 4lb rise he gets for that run doesn't help but if in the same form he ought to go close. Berlusca has run well here on several occasions here this term and likely will do so again.