20:55 Haydock

Friday 27 May 2022

All18:2518:5519:2519:5520:2520:55

Chris Kingsford 70th Birthday Handicap

(7)

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 81

Successful 3 times last season, latest win coming in 1m nursery at Ayr in September. Shaped as if amiss on Newmarket reappearance but better expected here.

Form: 00315-6

(6)

True Accolade^h²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 80| BF| D

Confirmed debut promise when off the mark in a Windsor novice in April. Below expectations under a penalty at Lingfield but still finished clear of the rest and his opening mark looks a fair one.

Form: 312

(2)

Merlin's Lady⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 80

Lightly-raced winner who is bred to make a better 3-y-o and probably needed the run at Doncaster on reappearance in March. Worth another chance.

Form: 14-5

(1)

Ardbraccan¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 80

Showed determination to open her account in 7f Newmarket July Course maiden last summer but she hasn't really kicked on from that. Still looks too high in the weights after just respectable efforts this term.

Form: 1578-58

(8)

Stevenson²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: James Doyle| T: M R Channon| OR: 80

Confirmed debut promise when scoring at Kempton in March and similar form both starts on turf subsequently, including when finishing last of 5 on handicap debut here (8.2f) last time. Progress needed over this longer trip.

Form: 3135

(4)

Outsmart¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Ben Robinson| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 79| D

Newcastle maiden winner who was unlucky to bump into a promising sort on handicap debut at Beverley in April. Showed a good attitude to go one better there (9.9f) 17 days ago and a 3 lb rise seems unlikely to prevent another bold bid.

Form: 332-121

(5)

Grey Belle¹⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Nolan| T: I Furtado| OR: 75

Improved to land 1m Thirsk novice in August but below form final 2 starts. Longer trip needs to bring about improvement on return.

Form: 22168-

(3)

Alvediston¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: David Egan| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 69

Fair maiden who got back on track on first run since leaving William Haggas when fourth of 6 in 10f handicap at Newmarket (good, 15/2) 15 days ago, challenging slightly away from where the main action developed. Eased 2 lb and not taken lightly.

Form: 645-374

(10)

Hopeman Harbour⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Joey Haynes| T: P J McBride| OR: 61

Lightly-raced maiden who ran well when third of 10 on handicap debut at this course (8f, good to firm) last week, staying on. Respected off same mark upped in trip.

Form: 6-363

Non-Runners

(9)

Mambo Beat²¹⁷

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: C G Cox J: J P Fahy

Forecasts

True Accolade (2/1), Outsmart (9/2), Hopeman Harbour (6/1), Mambo Beat (7/1), Stevenson (10/1), Highland Premiere (12/1), Alvediston (12/1), Merlin's Lady (12/1), Ardbraccan (16/1), Grey Belle (20/1)

TRUE ACCOLADE failed to meet expectations under a penalty at Lingfield, but he still finished well clear of the remainder and is taken to get back to winning ways now switched to a handicap. The dangers are headed by Outsmart, who ought to remain competitive following a 3 lb rise for Beverley, and Alvediston, who got straight back on track for his new yard at Newmarket recently.