14:00 Haydock

Thursday 4 July 2019

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Fit Show 12th - 14th May 2020 Handicap

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 2m 29.55s

(2)

Battle Of Wills¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: P J McDonald| T: J Tate| OR: 82

7/2

Progressive, and equally adept on turf (as the AW); game ½L winner at Nottingham (1m2f, good) on his penultimate start; had the misfortune to bump into the very well-handicapped Faylaq at Ripon (1m4f) latest.

Form: 541-412

(5)

Fraser Island⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 81

6/1

4lb higher than when beating the winning hurdler Whiskey And Water on seasonal reappearance at Beverley (1m2f) in April; was no match for his stablemate Sir Ron Priestley (beaten 7¼L) over C&D on his most recent start.

Form: 53-1273

(1)

Hallalulu¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁷⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 80| BF

9/4

Placed on both starts in 2019 (twice a beaten favourite); 5lb higher than when worn down by the Roger Varian-trained Specialise in a Class 5 1m2f Lingfield fillies' handicap (good to soft) latest; should stay (dam was a 1m4f-1m6f winner); chance.

Form: 5811-32

(4)

State Of Affair⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: E Walker| OR: 74

16/1

Given a short break since finishing fifth of nine (3/1) on handicap debut at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) in May; will need to improve further in order to play a prominent role.

Form: 03-85

(3)

Starczewski¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: S Donohoe| T: D M Simcock| OR: 69| BF

9/2

Runner-up on his last two starts, including on handicap debut at Chepstow (1m2f, good) ten days ago when beaten ¾L by El Picador; 3lb higher and steps up another two furlongs in distance (stamina taken only on trust); improving.

Form: 58-522

(6)

Frankadore⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 68

4/1

Is steadily getting his act together on the track and has previous Haydock experience on his CV; finished a one-paced second to Samba Saravah (beaten 3¾L) on his first try over this 1m4f trip at Newcastle last week.

Form: 408-932

Non-Runners

(7)

Fearless Warrior¹⁹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: R M Beckett J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Hallalulu (9/4), Battle Of Wills (7/2), Frankadore (4/1), Starczewski (9/2), Fraser Island (6/1), Fearless Warrior (6/1), State Of Affair (16/1)

Hallalulu could've probably done without a 5lb rise in the weights for finishing second at Lingfield, but with her trainer off-setting that damage by utilising the 7lb claimer Cieren Fallon she must enter the reckoning. Starczewski rates as an improving horse for David Simcock, although his stamina reserves are taken only on trust (first start over 1m4f). Therefore, it's worth taking a chance on the top-weight BATTLE OF WILLS who has both winning turf and AW form in the book. With hindsight and all things considered he had absolutely no chance giving away 9lb to the very well-handicapped Faylaq at Ripon a fortnight ago.