18:15 Haydock

Sunday 8 August 2021

All15:5516:2516:5017:2017:4518:1518:40

Sky Bet Sunday Series Middle Distance Handicap

3YO plus | Class 4 | 1m 2f 42y | 13 Runners | Turf

(2)

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: J Mitchell| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 85

Scored 3 times at Wolverhampton last year and made an encouraging reappearance when a close fourth at Nottingham last month, holding every chance inside final 1f. Needs to step forward on that.

Form: 1151B-4

(14)

Mascat²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 85

It's now thirteen runs since last win in 2019 and while his latest run at Lingfield (all-weather bow) wasn't devoid of promise, it's become difficult to label his optimum trip. Mark continues to fall.

Form: 926485

(5)

Howzer Black^h²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 83| CD

C&D winner last year who has had a bit of an up-and-down profile since his Hamilton success in May, last of 6 back there last month. Every chance of bouncing back here, though.

Form: 152946

(13)

Baltic Baron^t⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 82

Losing run stretches back to early 2018 but not disgraced from his falling mark when 2 lengths sixth at Carlisle 6 days ago, ideally needing a stronger gallop. Tongue tie back on.

Form: 776246

(16)

Sword Beach^b¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 81

Capitalised on the drop back in grade to belatedly land a first success in handicap company at Windsor just under a fortnight ago, finding extra when tackled over 1f out. Needs to back that up now.

Form: 762371

(7)

War Leader⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: P Cosgrave| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 80| D

Come good back at 1¼m, bagging handicaps at Yarmouth and Chelmsford in decisive fashion in recent months. Below best twice since though, so must bounce back.

Form: 861104

(11)

Cedar Cage^p⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Cam Hardie| T: D Shaw| OR: 80| BF

Again failed to reward strong support when runner-up in a first-time hood at Chelmsford back in June. That was his final start for Sir Mark Prescott and he needs more with cheekpieces now back on.

Form: 343-352

(3)

Starfighter⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: R Kingscote| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 79| D

Scored twice on the all-weather earlier this year, and switched back to turf, wasted no time getting back on track when fourth at York 8 weeks ago. Others look better treated on this occasion.

Form: 123294

(17)

Just Hiss^p⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 77

Had been running creditably in defeat this term before a rare-poor effort when eighth of 12 at Thirsk last week. Type to bounce back quickly.

Form: 024548

(15)

Emiyn⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Harrison Shaw| T: D Carroll| OR: 76

Fairly useful ex-Irish 1m winner for Dermot Weld. Fair runs in York handicaps for new yard while not looking too straightforward but ran poorly at Pontefract last time. Others appeal more.

Form: 410-776

(4)

Fairmac^b⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: B A Curtis| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 82| BF| D

Gained reward for his consistency as he finally opened his account for the year when winning at Ayr (10f, good) last month. Ran well at Chester last week and no surprise to see him in the mix again.

Form: 622312

(12)

Lucky's Dream⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: P J McDonald| T: Ian Williams| OR: 73| D

Scored 3 times earlier this year (including a jumpers bumper) but not quite in same form on the turf of late, fourth of 13 at Carlisle when last seen. May need more help from the handicapper.

Form: 122044

(6)

Pallas Dancer^p⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: P Hanagan| T: B Ellison| OR: 72| D

Scored twice at Newcastle earlier this year and proved better than ever when runner-up there 6 days ago. Needs to prove his effectiveness on turf but enters calculations with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 121222

Non-Runners

(10)

Croeso Cymraeg⁴⁶

Weight: 9-9| Age: 7

T: H J Evans J: Non Runner

(9)

Tommy G¹⁴

Weight: 9-3| Age: 8

T: J S Goldie J: Non Runner

(8)

Arctic Vega¹⁷

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: A M Balding J: Non Runner

(1)

Lady Reset¹⁰

Weight: 8-13| Age: 5

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Fairmac (4/1), Tommy G (9/2), Sword Beach (9/2), Croeso Cymraeg (5/1), Pallas Dancer (7/1), Starfighter (8/1), Baltic Baron (10/1), Lady Reset (10/1), Lucky's Dream (10/1), Arctic Vega (10/1), Just Hiss (12/1), Howzer Black (12/1), Mascat (12/1), Cedar Cage (12/1), War Leader (14/1), Emiyn (20/1), Daheer (20/1)

Cases can be made for several here but the most compelling is for CROESO CYMRAEG. James Evans' charge is at the top of his game at present, and having scored at Leicester in June, he's taken to regain the winning thread after a career-best effort when finishing runner-up at Carlisle last time. Arctic Vega, Fairmac, Pallas Dancer and Howzer Black are a handful of potential dangers.