16:15 Haydock

Thursday 26 May 2022

All13:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:15

George Formby Birthday Handicap

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 1m 29.66s

(5)

Autumn Festival²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 70| BF| D

9/4

Is on the upgrade, fending off a couple of fellow improvers when resuming winning ways at Beverley in April. Even better form in defeat when runner-up at Ripon subsequently (1m) and remains of firm interest.

Form: 691212

(3)

Emeralds Pride³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: C Lee| T: M Dods| OR: 69

7/2

Much improved after 7 months off when landing 14-runner maiden at Thirsk (6f, good, 14/1) 31 days ago, edging ahead final ½f from a next-time-out winner. Good chance if reproducing that back in handicap company.

Form: 3239-1

(4)

Tudor Queen⁷⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 68WS

15/2

Fair maiden who was below form on AW debut after 5 months off when seventh of 12 in handicap at Southwell (6.1f) in March. Eased 2 lb and better expected now stepping back up to 7f on turf following a breathing operation.

Form: 37436-7

(1)

Above It All^b³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: K Shoemark| T: E Walker| OR: 67| D

9/2

Improved in first-time blinkers to get off the mark at Kempton in March and nearly followed up from 7 lb higher at Wolverhampton (7.2f). Can give another good account back on turf.

Form: 653-412

(9)

Samuel Spade²⁰⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: D O'Meara| OR: 67

20/1

Signs of ability in novice events and will hold more chance now handicapping.

Form: 667-

(7)

Geopolitic⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Liam Browne⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 66

20/1

Fair maiden who ran no more than respectably when fifth in 8-runner handicap at Kempton (1m) last week. More needed.

Form: 045-85

(6)

Brunello Breeze²⁰⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Cieren Fallon| T: T P Tate| OR: 64

9/1

Modest form at best in a trio of novices but will have more chance now handicapping.

Form: 679-

(2)

Costa Adeje¹²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin⁽³⁾| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 62

7/1

Maiden who failed to beat a rival in first-time cheekpieces at Kempton (6f, 20/1) on latest outing in January. Easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 0646-70

Non-Runners

(8)

Round Acre²²³

Weight: 9-6| Age: 3

T: E Bethell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Autumn Festival (9/4), Emeralds Pride (7/2), Above It All (9/2), Costa Adeje (7/1), Tudor Queen (15/2), Brunello Breeze (9/1), Round Acre (10/1), Samuel Spade (20/1), Geopolitic (20/1)

AUTUMN FESTIVAL is on the upgrade, and with his form last time proving strong, he makes most appeal. Emeralds Pride beat a next-time-out winner when successful at Thirsk on last month's return and has obvious claims if reproducing that back in handicap company, while Above It All ought to remain competitive back on turf.