13:30 Haydock

Saturday 8 August 2020

All12:3013:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2516:55

BetVictor Make Your Best Bet Handicap

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 1m 40.45s

(4)

Red Bond⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: B A Curtis| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 92| D

9/2

Newcastle winner in January continued his good form when fifth beaten just 4L in the Silver Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot latest. Off the same mark but in a weaker race here he has obvious claims.

Form: 123-135

(6)

Sameem^b1³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: P J McDonald| T: J Tate| OR: 91| BF

25/1

Highly progressive last term with a Listed win the highlight in July. Not quite hit the heights this season but only 1lb higher than comfortable Ripon win last summer. Back in trip with blinkers on he could be reinvigorated.

Form: 1154-76

(7)

Sha La La La Lee¹⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 91| D

28/1

Front-runner having first turf run of 2020 but was in decent order at Wolverhampton over the winter. Not obviously well handicapped for return so others preferred.

Form: 506-225

(3)

Nicklaus^b1¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: R L Moore| T: W J Haggas| OR: 89| BF| D

13/2

Five places behind Red Bond in the Silver Hunt Cup although that was only 1L. Second at Ripon and third at Newmarket the last twice although too keen as favourite latest. Blinkers on and back in trip which may suit better; respected.

Form: 023-023

(2)

So Beloved¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 9-9| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 88| C| D

16/1

Veteran looks to be getting closer to a workable mark now based on last two runs but in a pretty warm contest a place would probably be the best he can hope for.

Form: 24-5047

(1)

Yes My Boy¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 93| D

5/2

1½L third to now 103-rated Tsar at Yarmouth leaps off the page and was again second latest to a potential handicap snip at Newmarket. Upped 3lb himself but still every chance he proves well treated so a big player here.

Form: 1122

(9)

Club Wexford¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Paula Muir⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 86| CD

100/1

Ran well at Ayr in June but three runs since have suggested current handicap mark is problematic so hard to fancy here against a slew of younger rivals.

Form: 7-02598

(8)

Huboor²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 90| BF

14/1

Dual 2yo winner at up to 7f followed sixth in Royal Ascot handicap with third of six at Newbury behind Festive Star. Away from her own sex now but still merits respect with strong run 1m likely to prove ideal.

Form: 131-563

(10)

Dubai Mirage^p⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: H Crouch| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 87| D

3/1

Only had the four starts, and was a ready winner of a Kempton novice on his reappearance. Red-hot Britannia probably too much soon latest (12th of 22) but certainly not overlooked at this stage.

Form: 23-10

(5)

Count Of Amazonia¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: K Shoemark| T: R Hannon| OR: 85

12/1

Beat Khaloosy as a two-year-old but not reached the heights that one has as three although his 1L second at Redcar latest a step in the right direction. Can go on from that now and has genuine claims here.

Form: 661-72

(11)

Storm Ahead^b¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 78| D

33/1

C&D second in June a fair effort and disappointments since probably can be put down to testing ground. Against some potentially well treated three-year-olds here and that the biggest issue.

Form: 7-46258

Forecasts

Yes My Boy (5/2), Dubai Mirage (3/1), Red Bond (9/2), Nicklaus (13/2), Count Of Amazonia (12/1), Huboor (14/1), So Beloved (16/1), Sameem (25/1), Sha La La La Lee (28/1), Storm Ahead (33/1), Club Wexford (100/1)

Three-year-olds are likely to headline this contest with all four of them meriting respect. The verdict goes to Archie Watson's charge YES MY BOY whose two placed efforts this season both suggest there is mileage in a current career-high mark of 93. After finding the uber-competitive Britannia a tough act latest Dubai Mirage can be expected to fare much better today and he may prove the biggest danger although Count Of Amazonia's last run brings him into the mix too.