16:10 Haydock

Saturday 8 June 2019

All13:4514:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Betway Dash Handicap

Off time: 16:14 | Winning time: 1m 16.75s

(3)

Lord Oberon⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 94| D

11/2

Reappearance here over 7f has to be a concern, but had previously gone well over C&D, has won on soft, and acts on heavy, and a 1lb drop won't harm. May still be capable of better and entitled to consideration.

Form: 12221-8

(8)

Camacho Chief³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 94

10/1

Proven on soft. Has yet to win over further than 5f, but has been a close second over Pontefract's stiff 6f, so should have no problems now back over this trip. May still be more to come over this far and not ruled out.

Form: 41125-5

(9)

Savalas²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 94

10/1

Trip 5f turf winner on good to soft. Only previous try on soft was on debut, so still to prove he handles it this slow. Bit to find from this mark too.

Form: 5803-04

(10)

Gymkhana¹⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 93| D

14/1

Loves to get his toe in and, while he is a 1m winner, his two best efforts have been over 5f/6f on testing ground. Changed hands for 7,500gns in January and makes debut for this trainer here. Interesting.

Form: 309787-

(15)

Admirality²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 93| D

5/1

Got his nose in front at Thirsk (7f, good) last time in a class 2 contest, on his stable debut. Up 3lb, and acts on testing ground. Not ruled out.

Form: 10522-1

(16)

Cold Stare^t1²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Bentley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 92| C

12/1

Has won three times over 7f, including here (soft) last September. 2lb higher today, and tongue-tied for first time, though both runs this season are causes for concern.

Form: 1582-90

(6)

Growl^p³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| D

7/1

On a 21-race losing run since his last success in 2016. Went very close at Ripon (6f, good to soft) last time, and handicapper has left his mark alone after that. Claims, but genuine soft ground, or possibly heavier, wouldn't be ideal.

Form: 300-084

(5)

Reflektor³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 92| D

20/1

Goes well on soft/heavy ground and last won over this trip at Wolverhampton three starts ago, when 3lb lower. Has excuses last time, and was eased when beaten. Needs taking seriously.

Form: 7-48149

(4)

Bernardo O'Reilly²²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: G Mosse| T: R Spencer| OR: 91| D

14/1

Acts on testing ground, though all four wins have been on good to soft, including when last seen at Newbury (6f) in October. Up 6lb, so more needed, but can't rule him out.

Form: 119391-

(11)

Diamond Dougal²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: David Egan| T: M R Channon| OR: 91| C| D

7/1

5f winner here on heavy in 2017. Has improved since then, and scored when 2lb lower at Windsor in April (6f, good). Has not been far off that level both runs since, but needs to eek out a bit more.

Form: 427-125

(1)

Aeolus²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 91| CD

16/1

C&D winner who is well treated on his best efforts, and acts on soft. Yet to break any pots in four runs for this trainer, but still not one to write off.

Form: 03-8496

(17)

Captain Colby²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 90| D

40/1

Should not be inconvenienced by the ground, although would ideally prefer a sound surface. 5lb higher than his last handicap success, and well held in four runs this term, so plenty to prove.

Form: 12-6000

(13)

Dark Defender²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: David Probert| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 89| D

14/1

Made all to win at Ripon (6f, good to soft) last month in a class 4 contest, when 6lb lower. That was a career-best, but his is unlikely to have things all his own way in this line-up. More needed to follow up.

Form: 4310-51

(14)

Confessional^e/s²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Easterby| OR: 88| CD

11/1

Heavy ground C&D scorer in October, when 1lb lower. Wasn't best drawn at Thirsk last time, and if you can forgive him that, then he can't be ruled out.

Form: 1371-39

(7)

Soie D'leau¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: R Winston| T: Mrs L Stubbs| OR: 88| C| D

28/1

Goes on any ground and a capable performer at his best, having won three class 2 handicaps. Won from 7lb higher 13-months ago, so arguably well treated, but bit to prove on both runs this season.

Form: 0200-88

Non-Runners

(2)

Sir Maximilian³⁵

Weight: 9-7| Age: 10

T: Ian Williams J: G Mosse

(12)

Normandy Barriere¹⁴

Weight: 9-2| Age: 7

T: N Tinkler J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Admirality (5/1), Lord Oberon (11/2), Sir Maximilian (13/2), Diamond Dougal (7/1), Growl (7/1), Camacho Chief (10/1), Savalas (10/1), Confessional (11/1), Cold Stare (12/1), Bernardo O'Reilly (14/1), Dark Defender (14/1), Gymkhana (14/1), Aeolus (16/1), Normandy Barriere (16/1), Reflektor (20/1), Soie D'leau (28/1), Captain Colby (40/1)

An interesting and competitive-looking race. Lord Oberon has a bit to prove after his last run, but if you forgive that he is entitled to plenty of respect, along with Diamond Dougal, Bernardo O'Reilly and Reflektor. Admiralty and perhaps more so Camacho Chief are others to consider, but the vote goes to GYMKHANA, who loves the mud and whose stamina could kick in over this trip with a strong place assured.