15:45 Haydock

Saturday 29 April 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:4516:2016:55

Join Racing TV Now Handicap

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 1m 26.80s

(3)

Witch Hunter^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 108| D

20/1

Produced a career-best when second in a valuable minor event at Newcastle (6f, 14/1) 22 days ago. As effective on turf and is entitled to get in the mix again with good-value claimer aboard.

Form: 31-7202

(12)

Tactical²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: G Lee| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 101| D

16/1

Enjoyed a reasonably encouraging season without winning in 2022 and, having left Andrew Balding over the winter, shaped as if needing the run when mid-field in listed race at Doncaster (6f, heavy) 28 days ago. Others make bit more appeal on balance.

Form: 06406-5

(1)

Biggles¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 100| BF| D

4/1

Most progressive sort has won 5 of his last 7 starts, running at least as well in defeat when second of 9 in handicap at Doncaster (7f, heavy) on final start last term. Nudged up again in the weights but has to be respected.

Form: 113112-

(5)

Orbaan¹⁹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 100| D

22/1

Consistent sort gained deserved big-handicap success when taking Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood before following up in 7f classified event at Ascot. Good efforts in defeat subsequently and he's a player if ready to go after 6 months off.

Form: 811425-

(6)

Rhoscolyn^t¹⁹⁶

11/1

Smart handicapper is a while without a win but posted several good efforts in competitive events in 2022, including when third in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Rare disappointing effort on final start last year and he begins this campaign on handy mark.

Form: 783500-

(7)

Boardman²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 98| CD

11/2

Shaped relatively well on return at Wolverhampton and didn't enjoy the rub of the green at all when mid-field in the Lincoln. Tends to come to hand early in the season (won this race last year) and he's not one to overlook.

Form: 6248-70

(11)

Montassib²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 98| D

3/1

Progressive last year, scoring at Wetherby and Goodwood before posting some good efforts in top-end handicaps in midsummer, including fourth in Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot. All at sea on heavy ground in the Lincoln so no surprise to see him closer to form here.

Form: 15442-0

(2)

Gweedore²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Billy Loughnane⁽⁵⁾| T: K Scott| OR: 96| D

6/1

Won 3 times in 2022 and reappeared with a career-best to land an 11-runner handicap at Musselburgh (7.2f, good to soft, 7/2) 21 days ago. Up 6 lb in perhaps a deeper contest but has the benefit of Billy Loughnane retaining the ride.

Form: 72153-1

(8)

Tuscan²¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: R Kingscote| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| D

28/1

Won minor event at Newmarket early in 2022 but finished down the field in a pair of handicaps there on his final outings last year. Mark has edged down to a more reasonable figure but probably best watched on debut for new yard.

Form: 120447-

(4)

Jump The Gun^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: R Havlin| T: I Jardine| OR: 95| D

40/1

Dual winner last season (also fifth in Ayr Silver Cup) has found himself out of his depth in listed races both outings in 2023. Yard are a while without a Flat winner and others are preferred overall.

Form: 0524-89

(9)

Rainbow Fire²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: N Callan| T: M Botti| OR: 95| D

5/1

Made a winning start for this yard in 19-runner handicap at Newbury (7f, good) in September and resumed progress when chasing home another progressive rival in a 6-runner Kempton event 24 days ago. Leading player.

Form: 81/231-2

Non-Runners

(10)

Spycatcher⁷

Weight: 9-10| Age: 5

T: K R Burke J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

Forecasts

Montassib (3/1), Biggles (4/1), Spycatcher (9/2), Rainbow Fire (5/1), Boardman (11/2), Gweedore (6/1), Rhoscolyn (11/1), Tactical (16/1), Witch Hunter (20/1), Orbaan (22/1), Tuscan (28/1), Jump The Gun (40/1)

BOARDMAN has shaped with more encouragement than his form figures suggest in a pair of outings this term and he may represent a bit of value in his bid to repeat last year's success here. Dangers are aplenty in this competitive event, with Spycatcher, Rainbow Fire and Witch Hunter perhaps chief amongst them.