15:10 Haydock

Thursday 9 August 2018

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

Smarkets Handicap

Off time: 15:12 | Winning time: 1m 12.82s

(6)

Stewardess¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 70| D

4/1

Won a lowly Ripon maiden handicap over 6f last time out. Did it well enough there but gets an extra 4lb for the success. Confidence now boosted and looks likely to go well again here.

Form: 029271

(8)

Fard⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 68

5/2

Never really got competitive in three starts in novice events for Simon Crisford. Starts out for new stable here in a first-time handicap at a lowly level. Not impossible he gets involved.

Form: 655

(7)

Biddy Brady^h⁵²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 68| D

7/1

Tailed off last after a break at Carlisle when last seen. Given time between that and today's race so hopefully put in a better performance. Previous form was progressive and would have been as good as any so not written off by any means.

Form: 3215-20

(4)

Me Before You²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: D O'Meara| OR: 65| D

3/1

6f scorer at Ripon this season who has run well the last twice with a second at the same venue and third at Leicester. Comes into this in good form and looks a leading contender.

Form: 125023

(5)

Boudica Bay⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: P Mathers| T: E J Alston| OR: 51

5/2

3¼L behind Stewardess when second to that rival at Ripon. Only beaten 1L subsequently at Thirsk (second of nine) and appears to be going the right way.

Form: 8-6832

Non-Runners

(9)

Laubali¹⁵

Weight: 9-9| Age: 3

T: D O'Meara J: C J McGovern

(3)

Praxedis⁵⁷

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: J R Fanshawe J: George Wood

(1)

Haverland²

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: C Fellowes J: Aled Beech

(2)

Strategic²

Weight: 8-4| Age: 3

T: E J Alston J: Rhona Pindar

Forecasts

Fard (5/2), Boudica Bay (5/2), Me Before You (3/1), Stewardess (4/1), Haverland (5/1), Biddy Brady (7/1), Praxedis (7/1), Laubali (7/1), Strategic (8/1)

Having gotten off the mark last time out STEWARDESS could be able to double up in a relatively ordinary handicap. Me Before You seems to have adapted to a higher mark now and has suggested another win might not be far away the last twice. Boudica Bay was behind the selection at Ripon and has run well since so she should get closer here with a slight pull at the weights.