18:20 Haydock

Friday 7 June 2019

All17:5018:2018:5519:2520:0020:3021:00

Join Racing TV Now Handicap

Off time: 18:21 | Winning time: 2m 16.33s

(8)

Felix The Poet^p1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: D Allan| T: A Watson| OR: 87

20/1

Never able to land a glove in small-field affair at this track on seasonal reappearance. That was over 1m4f, and he is dropped back down in trip today. Shouldn't be written off just yet as he was a decent two-year-old but tough task off top-weight.

Form: 4181-4

(5)

Felix^t⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: David Egan| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 85

3/1

More than likely that he was in need of the run when only fourth on return at Doncaster (1m2f; good). Yard was nowhere near in as good form as they are now though and he could easily return to winning ways on just his second handicap start.

Form: 312-4

(6)

Cape Islay²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 83| D

10/1

This represents her most realistic assignment to date since making comeback in April. Oaks Trial was too much last time and every chance she could get back on track dropped down to a much easier grade.

Form: 1521-36

(1)

Korcho²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: H Morrison| OR: 82| D

2/1

Won over this trip on seasonal return. Not so good recently in the London Gold Cup at Newbury (1m2f; good) but that was a hot race. Could easily resume progress back in calmer waters and important to remember the ease of his comeback win.

Form: 7614-18

(2)

Lola's Theme²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 80| C

6/1

C&D winner at this venue last season. Seems to have a preference for softer ground, so interesting to see how she fares on forecast quicker conditions. Not disgraced on seasonal return and she is the unknown quantity on her first try at this trip.

Form: 61218-5

(4)

Jackamundo²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: K Stott| T: D Carroll| OR: 75| D

11/4

Won on first try at this trip/soft ground on third run of the year when victorious at Nottingham (1m2f; soft). Up 5lb for that but there should be plenty more to come and he is a key player.

Form: 061-671

(7)

Over The Guns^b³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Connor Beasley| T: K R Burke| OR: 74

25/1

Underwhelming on seasonal reappearance when last of six at Redcar (1m; good to firm). Possibly explains why he left the Paul Cole yard after a decent season last year. Steps up to 1m2f but doesn't look an obvious stayer so is best watched.

Form: 143-6

(3)

Francisco Bay¹⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: A Mullen| T: E De Giles| OR: 69

50/1

Raced exclusively over 1m on the AW at Kempton last season. Didn't improve at all for the switch to handicaps on final run of 2018 when finishing a well-beaten 10th of 10. Has a lot to prove on seasonal return, as he steps up in trip.

Form: 9560-

Forecasts

Korcho (2/1), Jackamundo (11/4), Felix (3/1), Lola's Theme (6/1), Cape Islay (10/1), Felix The Poet (20/1), Over The Guns (25/1), Francisco Bay (50/1)

An intriguing affair, full of promising three-year-olds who have a lot of potential in this sphere. Korcho left a lasting impression when winning on seasonal return at Windsor and is greatly feared back in calmer waters. The step up in trip proved to be just what Jackamundo needed when he notched his first win of the season recently, and he should have plenty more to offer, but the one who stands out the most in this contest is FELIX. He was a shade disappointing on his comeback but returns to the track with his trainer in sizzling form, and could prove a class apart from his rivals on just his second start in a handicap.