17:50 Haydock

Friday 19 October 2018

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:0516:4017:1517:50

Watch Racing UK On Sky 426 Handicap

Off time: 17:53 | Winning time: 3m 49.17s

(4)

Handiwork^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: K Shoemark| T: S Gollings| OR: 85| D

25/1

Hard to train, but has won the same Doncaster handicap on return for last two years. Off again before disappointing at Newmarket last month, and bit to prove on balance.

Form: 96/18-19

(7)

Al Kout¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Ray Dawson⁽⁵⁾| T: H Main| OR: 82| BF

4/1

Almost sprang a 40/1 shock when beaten a neck by Garbanzo over 1m6f here last month, and showed that was no fluke by finishing second at Newcastle over 2m. Can go well with conditions holding no fears.

Form: 826322

(9)

Arthur Mc Bride^t⁷⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 81| D

8/1

Soft ground handicap winner at Goodwood (2m) last September. Struggled since however and needs to return to form to figure in this contest.

Form: 100-070

(6)

Authorized Too^p⁴⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Rossa Ryan⁽³⁾| T: Noel Williams| OR: 81| D

20/1

Bidding for a Flat hat-trick here following successes at Kempton and most recently at Ffos Las, but that race came in July last year (ran over hurdles following month), so needs to prove well-being on return from absence.

Form: 149/711-

(3)

Zafayan^b,t1³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: R Winston| T: P D Niven| OR: 79

66/1

Left Dermot Weld for £20,000 in August 2017 as a winner of four races (Flat and hurdles), but little to cheer about for new yard, and remains opposable despite fitting of a tongue tie and sharp drop in the weights.

Form: 70-4000

(10)

River Icon²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: D Allan| T: I Jardine| OR: 79

9/2

Handles soft/heavy ground well and remains unexposed on the Flat after just six starts. Ran well when third of 11 to Darksideoftarnside at Ayr (1m5f) last time, and stiffer test here will be in her favour.

Form: 310-563

(2)

Marengo^p⁸¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Joshua Bryan⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 77

66/1

Won twice at Chester in 2016, and ought to stay this trip, but not easy to fancy on the back of a 27-month absence.

Form: 361461/

(1)

Dalileo²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 82

11/1

Has been found wanting for pace in the past, and appreciated step up to 1m6f when scoring narrowly at Wolverhampton last time. Needs to show he can translate that to soft turf, but unexposed as a stayer, and merits respect.

Form: 42-461

(11)

Angel Gabrial¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 73| D

14/1

Losing run goes back to his Northumberland Plate success in 2014, and disappointed last time having strung together a series of creditable placed efforts. Should bounce back, but still risky.

Form: 332337

(12)

Buonarroti^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D Carroll| OR: 68

7/2

Mud-lover who isn't easy to win with, but hinted that his turn was near when third at Ayr on last two starts, and likely to go very close with conditions to suit.

Form: 653533

(5)

The Knot Is Tied^p¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Nathan Evans| T: T D Easterby| OR: 71| D

4/1

Progressive sort who won three staying handicaps in August, and took another step forward when short-headed by Royal Flat at Ayr last time, with Buonarroti third. May still have more in the locker.

Form: 112172

Non-Runners

(8)

Winston C³⁰

Weight: 9-13| Age: 4

T: H Fry J: M Harley

Forecasts

Buonarroti (7/2), The Knot Is Tied (4/1), Al Kout (4/1), River Icon (9/2), Arthur Mc Bride (8/1), Winston C (10/1), Dalileo (11/1), Angel Gabrial (14/1), Authorized Too (20/1), Handiwork (25/1), Marengo (66/1), Zafayan (66/1)

THE KNOT IS TIED had a thriving Buonarroti back in third when failing narrowly at Ayr last time, and he can confirm form for all Declan Carroll's charge is respected. Al Kout is another who arrives here at the top of his game, and along with the unexposed Dalileo, completes the shortlist.