16:45 Haydock

Saturday 27 May 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:1016:45

Betfred Hattrick Heaven New Boston Handicap

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 1m 29.45s

(5)

Tuscan^p1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 90| D

22/1

Finished down the field on first outing since leaving Charles Hills here (7f, good to firm) last month and was well held on testing ground at Thirsk just 7 days later. Eased 3 lb and should come good for his new yard at some stage (cheekpieces applied here).

Form: 0447-90

(9)

Royal Pleasure^h,t1²²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 90| DWS

28/1

Largely consistent last winter and produced a career best when scoring at Chelmsford in February 2022. Didn't kick on as may have been expected last year and since left Sir Mark Prescott but record fresh is excellent. Had a breathing operation and a tongue tie goes on.

Form: 4/13098-

(1)

Ffion¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee| T: D Loughnane| OR: 88| D

6/1

Successful over 7f at Chester 12 months ago and better than ever when landing 12-runner contest back there in September. No impact in listed level the following month though, and she ran poorly after 7 months off just over a fortnight ago. Should strip fitter here.

Form: 75918-0

(7)

Zainalarab²⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 87| BF| D

13/2

Wootton Bassett colt who completed a hat-trick on handicap debut at Sandown (7f) back in August. Failed to meet expectations at Doncaster next time and ran even worse when trailing in last at Newmarket 8 months ago. Gelded since and may well bounce back on return.

Form: 611158-

(6)

Persuasion⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: T D Barron| OR: 87| CD

5/2

No win since scoring over C&D in 2021 but arrives in good heart, finishing a close third at Newmarket (7f, good) on both starts this month. The booking of Buick catches the eye and he's one to consider.

Form: 982-033

(8)

Gorak^p¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: N Callan| T: C Fellowes| OR: 83| D

9/2

Hit the crossbar twice on the AW earlier this year prior to resuming winning ways at Doncaster (7f, heavy) last month. Excuses next time but firmly back on track when runner-up at Chester (7f, heavy) earlier this month and he could well have a say in proceedings.

Form: 251722

(3)

Alexander James^p,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Hollie Doyle| T: M Appleby| OR: 82

20/1

Good second at Southwell (1m) in February but below par on both subsequent starts, tailed-off back on turf at Leicester (8.2f, heavy) 4 weeks ago. Tongue tie reapplied but others more persuasive.

Form: 2-04266

(2)

Equiano Springs²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: Connor Beasley| T: T P Tate| OR: 82| D

12/1

Won twice last year but little encouragement to glean from both starts this term, admittedly out of his depth at Newmarket (6f, soft) 3 weeks ago. This a more realistic assignment.

Form: 1616-80

(4)

Roman Dragon¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: H Palmer| OR: 82

4/1

All 3 career wins have been registered over 6f at Chester, the latest off 2 lb higher last July. Entitled to strip fitter from his recent return at that venue, so he makes plenty of appeal with Dettori on board for the first time.

Form: 16400-8

Forecasts

Persuasion (5/2), Roman Dragon (4/1), Gorak (9/2), Ffion (6/1), Zainalarab (13/2), Equiano Springs (12/1), Alexander James (20/1), Tuscan (22/1), Royal Pleasure (28/1)

ZAINALARAB ended his 3-y-o campaign in a bit of a lull, but its significant connections have kept the faith with him (gelded in the interim), so's put forward as a tentative selection returning from 8 months off. Frankie Dettori gets on board Roman Dragon for the first time, and he could give the selection most to think about with a recent run under his belt, ahead of Persuasion and Royal Pleasure, in what looks a wide-open finale.