13:20 Haydock

Saturday 11 August 2018

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Smarkets Handicap

Off time: 13:21 | Winning time: 1m 40.86s

(2)

Humble Gratitude¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: B A Curtis| T: K R Burke| OR: 86| C

3/1

Scored here over 7f (good to firm) in June, when 5lb lower. Beaten less than 2L from this lark in an apprentice handicap at Chester last time. Has a little to prove over this far, but enters calculations.

Form: 0-57152

(7)

Ayutthaya¹¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 85| D

7/2

Has so far raced only with cut in the ground, scoring on heavy at Chester (7f) last year and also on good to soft at Thirsk (1m) in April. Gelded since then and now resumes, but there have to be concerns for him on the forecast ground.

Form: 221-41

(4)

Etefaaq⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Spencer| T: R Hannon| OR: 83

16/1

Scored over 6f on good to soft at Newmarket last year. Didn't look as if he was going on as a three-year-old until returning from being gelded with a step back in the right direction last time. 2lb lower now and has it to prove over this trip.

Form: 408-584

(1)

Addis Ababa²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 83| BF| D

5/2

Was a debut winner at Ayr (1m, good to firm) in June and has been close to that level under a penalty in both runs since. Switches to handicaps from what looks a fair mark. Claims.

Form: 122

(8)

Rhosneigr¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 77| C

8/1

Dual winner on good to soft (7f/7½f) last year, one of those here. Back in better form at Redcar (1m, good to soft) last time. 2lb drop could bring him right into this, although he is another whose best chance appears to be reliant upon some cut.

Form: 1156-73

(5)

No I'm Easy^p1²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 75

6/1

6f Thirsk (good) winner last year in novice company. Has run well over both 7f and C&D here this year, prior to being gelded. Looks nicely treated now on that evidence, after an AW defeat last time. Headgear on. Claims.

Form: 18-6554

(3)

Snooker Jim^t²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: David Egan| T: Steph Hollinshead| OR: 70

25/1

Showed some ability last year as a juvenile. 10½L third on handicap debut at Wolverhampton on his reappearance. 2lb lower here and second start after wind surgery. Interesting over a trip that should suit.

Form: 843-3

Non-Runners

(6)

Falmouth Light⁷⁰

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: I Jardine J: J Fanning

Forecasts

Addis Ababa (5/2), Humble Gratitude (3/1), Ayutthaya (7/2), Falmouth Light (11/2), No I'm Easy (6/1), Rhosneigr (8/1), Etefaaq (16/1), Snooker Jim (25/1)

Several of these appear to want some significant rain to give them their best chance. If that arrives, then Falmouth Light, Ayutthaya and Rhosneigr should all be capable of having a say. However, it is currently faster than that and NO I'M EASY makes a fair bit of appeal with headgear now on and having had a run after being gelded. He is not yet exposed and could go very well. Snooker Jim could improve and take a hand, while Addis Ababa is another to consider.