18:45 Haydock

Sunday 7 August 2022

All15:4516:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:45

Sky Bet Sunday Series Stayers Handicap

Off time: 18:46 | Winning time: 3m 34.47s

(9)

El Picador³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 85| D

18/1

Tricky ride but he's been in good form and did well to come from last to score at Musselburgh (12.5f) in June. Bettered that form from a 5 lb higher mark when a close fourth at Carlisle/third at York and now goes up in trip.

Form: 130143

(1)

Run For Oscar⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: B A Curtis| T: C Byrnes| OR: 82| D

11/10

In top form over hurdles last year, running to a useful level when winning a brace of big-field handicaps. Kept on well for third on the level at the Curragh in June and he could be well handicapped in this sphere for shrewd yard.

Form: 714/03

(8)

Arctic Fox²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: D Nolan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 81| C

5/1

Won brace of small-field handicaps over shorter trips here this summer. Up 6 lb in a deeper race trying a new trip but has to command respect in her current mood.

Form: 23-5411

(2)

Haizoom²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: S H James| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 79| D

22/1

Back-to-back winner in August/September and left reappearance run well behind when adding to tally at Hamilton in May. Solid efforts on the whole since and return to 2m in her favour.

Form: 103445

(6)

Sovereign Duke¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Rhys Clutterbuck⁽³⁾| T: H Candy| OR: 78

40/1

Ended 2021 out of sorts but all the better for his reappearance when gaining second career win at Sandown. 2 lb rise perfectly fair and 2m is worth exploring.

Form: 2800-61

(11)

Real Terms¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Oliver Stammers⁽³⁾| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 78

14/1

Lightly raced for a 5-y-o and arrives in pursuit of a hat-trick following a brace of wins at up to 11.2f last month. Strong at the finish both starts but 2m is uncharted territory.

Form: 5245-11

(10)

Malakahna^t³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: David Egan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 75| D

11/1

Completed hat-trick in juvenile campaign over hurdles at Cheltenham in April. Brushed aside back on the level last month but 9.5f trip may have been inadequate and usual tongue tie is back on.

Form: 31-4

(7)

Kasperenko^p²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: E J Alston| OR: 73

28/1

Narrow winner of an apprentices' handicap on debut for Eric Alston (11.8f) in September. Plenty of peaks and troughs since and latest run at York suggests 2m stretches him.

Form: 936786

(5)

Kaizer²²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-3| J: Aiden Brookes⁽⁷⁾| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 62| D

22/1

Lowly Flat mark compared to hurdles ability and he landed a bit of a punt at Pontefract in June. Poor effort returned to timber since and he's 12 lb out of the weights here.

Form: 60277/1

(13)

The Predictor³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 74

9/1

Isn't bred for this far but has certainly improved for increased emphasis on stamina fitted with cheekpieces, 7 lengths clear of the rest at Doncaster last time, and the winner has won since so lots to like.

Form: 36-5932

(12)

Levitate¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 74| D

7/1

Relished step up to 2m taking on elders for the first time when successful in 7-runner handicap at Thirsk 16 days ago. Up 4 lb but he's on the up.

Form: 2-34631

Non-Runners

(3)

Frankenstella⁸⁷

Weight: 10-0| Age: 5

T: J & S Quinn J: D Tudhope

(4)

Coeur Blimey⁹⁸¹

Weight: 9-10| Age: 11

T: Mrs S Gardner J: D C Costello

Forecasts

Run For Oscar (11/10), Arctic Fox (5/1), Levitate (7/1), The Predictor (9/1), Malakahna (11/1), Frankenstella (12/1), Real Terms (14/1), El Picador (18/1), Haizoom (22/1), Kaizer (22/1), Kasperenko (28/1), Coeur Blimey (33/1), Sovereign Duke (40/1)

Irish-raider RUN FOR OSCAR retains handicap scope on his useful hurdles form in Ireland, and following a promising run at the Curragh in June, he's sure to be primed for this. Arctic Fox arrives on the up so is feared most, with El Picador (assuming he stays) and The Predictor completing the shortlist.