15:15 Haydock

Saturday 23 April 2022

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:4516:20

Great Haigh Handicap

Off time: 15:17 | Winning time: 1m 40.18s

(11)

Zulu Tracker²⁰⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 76

9/1

Improved when finishing runner-up at Salisbury (7f) on final start in 2021, suited by the longer trip. Promises to stay this extra distance and having been gelded, he's one of many that may have a say on handicap debut.

Form: 562-

(1)

Lady Valentine²⁵²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 75

18/1

Made a winning debut in 3-runner affair over 7f at Leicester but didn't progress, beaten a long way on nursery debut back in August on final outing for Tom Dascombe.

Form: 149-

(5)

Exminster^p1¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: E Bethell| OR: 74| BF

5/2

Made a winning debut at Redcar last July and he's been fairly consistent on the whole since, fifth of 14 in handicap at Beverley (7.4f) on return 10 days ago. Cheekpieces applied and with race-fitness on his side, he's a player.

Form: 1335-5

(2)

Typical Woman¹⁹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: David Egan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 74| D

14/1

Off the mark at the third attempt when last seen at Chelmsford (all-weather debut) back in October. One to note making her handicap debut/reappearance.

Form: 531-

(4)

Canny Fettle³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 73| D

5/1

Opened his account at Newcastle last month and matched that form a fortnight later when second at Wolverhampton, showing a willing attitude under pressure. Makes turf debut and he's another who could have a say in proceedings.

Form: 0-4412

(8)

Big Bear Hug^t1¹³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R Havlin| T: A West| OR: 73

12/1

Fair form shown in a couple of minor events towards the back end of last year, latest when third of 14 at Kempton in December. Off 4 months and a tongue strap is applied for this handicap debut.

Form: 543-

(3)

Masterminding²¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Joshua Bryan| T: H Main| OR: 73

33/1

Struggled in the mud on debut but much better when fourth at Kempton next time. Failed to confirm that form at Goodwood on final start and probably best to look elsewhere on return/handicap debut (has been gelded).

Form: 047-

(7)

Definite^b1²¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 72

11/2

Kingman colt out of unraced half-sister to high-class Sea Moon. Some promise amidst obvious signs of greenness on debut but little impact in 2 runs after. Blinkers applied for handicap debut/return and has been gelded. More needed.

Form: 467-

(12)

Holiday²⁰³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Dane O'Neill| T: R Hannon| OR: 72

20/1

Time Test colt who was set a stiff task on debut and made more of an impact when fourth in 7f Sandown novice. Out of depth on final 2-y-o start and may make more of an impact now sent handicapping upped in trip.

Form: 640-

(13)

Aldbourne¹⁹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Hayley Turner| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 69

25/1

Fair maiden who produced a tame finishing effort after he'd looked in a good position when last seen at Nottingham back in October. Has since left Andrew Balding/been gelded and he's not one to write off on return.

Form: 547379-

(6)

Aussie Banker¹³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: N Callan| T: R Hughes| OR: 68

7/1

Fair form in pair of minor events/maiden on the all-weather over the winter. Could get involved if taking another step forward on handicap debut/return.

Form: 453-

(10)

Cloch Nua^h1²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Benoit D L Sayette⁽⁷⁾| T: George Scott| OR: 67

14/1

Failed to improve quite as expected when a close fifth on handicap debut at Southwell just over 3 weeks ago, not seeing out the 1f longer trip having taken time to settle. Hood applied and that could work the oracle with promising claimer up also.

Form: 6-335

(9)

Ravenglass^p1¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 63

40/1

Possibly needed the run after 6 months off when eighth of 9 on handicap debut at Pontefract (8f, soft) 12 days ago. Cheekpieces applied but others make more appeal.

Form: 499-8

Non-Runners

(14)

Stellar Queen¹⁹⁷

Weight: 9-8| Age: 3

T: C G Cox J: Hollie Doyle

Forecasts

Exminster (5/2), Canny Fettle (5/1), Definite (11/2), Stellar Queen (6/1), Aussie Banker (7/1), Zulu Tracker (9/1), Big Bear Hug (12/1), Typical Woman (14/1), Cloch Nua (14/1), Lady Valentine (18/1), Holiday (20/1), Aldbourne (25/1), Masterminding (33/1), Ravenglass (40/1)

This is tricky, however the vote goes to EXMINSTER, who made a pleasing return when finishing a close fifth at Beverley 10 days ago. That should have blown away any cobwebs and with first-time cheekpieces applied, he's taken to double his tally. Cloch Nua, Stellar Queen and Canny Fettle are just a handful of others to consider.