Haydock Park Racecourse Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:20 | Winning time: 4m 16.07s

Grey Diamond^t⁷⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 135| D

10/3

Showed plenty in a light campaign last season. Resumed with an excellent third behind a couple of subsequent winners at Cheltenham in November and was set to play a big part before falling 2 out at Sandown. Remains of firm interest off current mark.

Form: 5/347-3F

Cornerstone Lad^p⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 134| CD

8/1

Smart hurdler who opened chase account with cheekpieces back on at Wetherby 14 months ago (from 6 lb higher). Ran creditably on 2 of his 3 starts this winter but he does need to shrug off a lesser display in January.

Form: 123-444

Dreams Of Home²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 133| D

6/1

Ended last season on a winning note at Perth and picked up where he left off by landing 17f Kelso handicap on return in December. Not so good next 2 starts but did shape as if back in form before stamina ran dry when fourth at Newcastle (20f) 25 days ago. Back down in trip.

Form: 31-1444

Amoola Gold^p⁵¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 132| D

12/1

Multiple winner over fences and, having ran better than for a while when third at Wetherby on Boxing Day, made most of good opportunity to land small field novice hurdle at Huntingdon a month later. Cheekpieces back on ahead of return to chasing.

Form: 84-7731

Escapeandevade⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny McMenamin| T: J Ewart| OR: 127| BF| D

5/1

Point winner who built on a promising chase debut third when scoring easily in a small-field handicap at Ayr (2m, heavy) in January. Stopped rapidly when pulled up at Carlisle since (possibly amiss) but remains low-mileage and feasible to think he can get back on track.

Form: 122-31P

One Fine Man²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 124| D

6/4

Thrived for switch to chasing following a lengthy absence, runner-up at Sedgefield (21f) in January prior to landing back-to-back handicaps at Carlisle/Ayr last month, jumping soundly and battling well. Likely he can do better again and sound claims from 2 lb higher mark.

Form: F/14-211

Non-Runners

Grandeur D'ame⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: A King J: Non Runner

Forecasts

One Fine Man (6/4), Grandeur D'ame (5/2), Grey Diamond (10/3), Escapeandevade (5/1), Dreams Of Home (6/1), Cornerstone Lad (8/1), Amoola Gold (12/1)

It's been really encouraging to see ONE FINE MAN make such a bright start over fences following a lengthy absence, registering back-to-back chase victories in recent weeks, his jumping/application looking excellent. He gets the nod to defy a small rise in the weights and complete the hat-trick. Grey Diamond certainly has races in him from his present mark and is feared, along with Escapeandevade.