14:05 Haydock

Saturday 27 April 2019

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:4516:2016:5017:25

Betway Old Boston Handicap

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 1m 31.29s

(13)

So Beloved^h¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 105| CD

16/1

Not the force of old, but remains capable enough even though he finds it difficult to get his head in front. Third of six in a conditions race at Thirsk on his reappearance and should be sharper this time.

Form: 83024-3

(9)

Burnt Sugar²⁰²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 104| D

16/1

A real moneyspinner last summer when he landed valuable handicaps at Newmarket and Ascot. Paid the price in terms of his handicap mark and may need this first run of the season.

Form: 011060-

(14)

Safe Voyage¹⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 103| CD

8/1

Bolted up in this race on soft ground last year and underfoot conditions are clearly the key to him. Likely to have been primed for this on his return to action, but unlikely to get his optimum conditions.

Form: 414/110-

(8)

Shady Mccoy¹⁶⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 100| D

16/1

Battle-hardened campaigner who remains competitive in races of this nature. In good form off this mark when last seen in the autumn.

Form: 244323-

(7)

Rufus King⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 98| D

25/1

Most of his recent races have been on the AW, but he is capable on turf. Underwhelming seasonal reappearance at Newmarket, however, and needs to take a big step forward.

Form: 02893-0

(10)

Golden Apollo²¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 97

33/1

Failed to get his head in front last season. All four wins have been achieved over 6f, so overall profile suggests he is likely to struggle.

Form: 552090-

(2)

Growl²⁰³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 97

12/1

No stranger to valuable handicaps, but most of his racing has been done over 6f. Feasibly weighted and could go well, but may find this test stretching his stamina.

Form: 433300-

(1)

Wahash⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 96

5/1

No wins in 18 starts on turf. Shaped well enough over 1m at Bath last time and drop in trip may suit. Others make more appeal, however.

Form: 246-093

(3)

Masham Star¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 96| D

8/1

Kept busy and won three times last year. Little encouragement in last two runs at Doncaster and Newbury and needs to show more before warranting support.

Form: 851-600

(12)

Lord Oberon¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 95| D

6/1

Consistent and generally progressive last term, winding up with victory in a soft-ground handicap at Doncaster. Only his second season so likely to go on improving and is an interesting contender.

Form: 412221-

(6)

Cold Stare¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: James Doyle| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94| CD

7/1

Successful on soft ground over C&D in September. Should be competitive off 4lb higher mark if the ground does not get too lively.

Form: 051582-

(4)

Great Prospector²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 94

7/1

Fancied to run well in the Lincoln by some good judges, but found 1m too far. Gives the impression there is more to come and drop back in trip is a plus.

Form: 40365-0

(5)

Double Up^t⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Watson| T: Ian Williams| OR: 92

50/1

Cut little ice in sprint handicaps at Meydan on last two starts. Tackles 7f for the first time and is feasibly weighted if staying the extra distance.

Form: 6646-00

(11)

Ptarmigan Ridge¹⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: David Egan| T: R Hughes| OR: 88| BF| D

5/1

Consistent and progressive last year when trained by James Fanshawe. Starts out for a new trainer and has career-high mark to defy.

Form: 222012-

Forecasts

Ptarmigan Ridge (5/1), Wahash (5/1), Lord Oberon (6/1), Great Prospector (7/1), Cold Stare (7/1), Safe Voyage (8/1), Masham Star (8/1), Growl (12/1), So Beloved (16/1), Burnt Sugar (16/1), Shady Mccoy (16/1), Rufus King (25/1), Golden Apollo (33/1), Double Up (50/1)

Several of these need it to rain, not least last year's winner Safe Voyage and Cold Stare. Lord Oberon is arguably the least exposed performer in the field and looks sure to give a good account, but a chance is taken with GREAT PROSPECTOR, who has failed to live up to early promise but ran better than his finishing position in the Lincoln suggests and will appreciate the drop back in trip. In a wide-open handicap, others to consider include Shady Mccoy and Ptarmigan Ridge.