14:05 Haydock

Saturday 8 July 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

bet365 Handicap

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 3m 0.66s

(8)

Struth¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: R Kingscote| T: C Johnston| OR: 95

7/1

Posted a career best when winning 8-runner handicap at Chester (1½m, heavy, 7/1) in May. Improved again when stepped up to 14.5f at Doncaster next time and did too much too soon up with the early pace when well held in King George handicap at Royal Ascot since. Treated as if still in form.

Form: 135-120

(9)

Galactic Jack^p,t¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 95

14/1

Goodwood maiden winner last autumn. Not up to Group 3/listed company on his next 4 starts but got his career firmly back on track with a 1½m Salisbury handicap win from the front in first-time cheekpieces (retained) 10 days ago, despite hanging left. 7 lb higher in a much tougher race now.

Form: 16-6561

(10)

Rogue Sea³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: Tom Clover| OR: 90

4/1

Has looked quite useful when winning 2 novices over 1¼m. Significantly longer trip asks a different question on handicap debut but it's likely he has more to offer.

Form: 121

(11)

Chillhi⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 86

10/1

Successful twice on AW at 2 but he's equally as effective on turf, shaping well stepped up to 1½m for the first time when third of 10 at Chester (good) 6 weeks ago. Yard knows what it takes to win this.

Form: 159-753

(13)

Lordship⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: A J Farragher⁽³⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 85| D

10/3

Landed the odds without too much fuss in 5-runner novice event at Chepstow (1½m, good to firm) last month and followed up in a handicap over this trip at Yarmouth since. Should continue to go the right way for a leading stable seeking a third win in this race in the last 4 years.

Form: 64-2211

(14)

Imaginary World²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: K Stott| T: J Tate| OR: 85

20/1

Improved a chunk when making a winning return/handicap debut at Chelmsford (1¼m) in March. Made a good return to turf when narrowly denied over 1½m at Beverley last time. Could have more to offer now stepping up in trip again.

Form: 625-132

(5)

Rathgar³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Charles Bishop| T: J Channon| OR: 84

20/1

Good placed efforts in handicaps at Newmarket and York on first 2 outings this year. Disappointing when last of 8 over 14.5f at Doncaster last time but it's possible he found a third outing in quick succession too much. Capable of bouncing back after 5 weeks off.

Form: 631-238

(6)

Pledgeofallegiance^p⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 83| D

4/1

Different proposition since stepped up to 1¾m and fitted with cheekpieces, winning handicaps at Redcar and Doncaster in recent months. Should be more to come and he looks a leading player in this.

Form: 0-85211

(12)

Midnight Lion¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 81| D

10/1

Surpassed his juvenile form when very good fourth of 8 in handicap at Doncaster (14.5f) on reappearance and made no mistake in maiden company at Goodwood next time. Very much the type to keep on improving as his stamina is drawn out.

Form: 4245-41

(2)

Flower Of Dubai¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: David Egan| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 80

25/1

Winner of 11f Kempton maiden on debut and added to her tally in 1½m Wolverhampton handicap 19 days ago. Likely to stay 1¾m and has the potential for better again after only 4 career starts.

Form: 1631

(3)

Bulldog Spirit²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Andrew Breslin⁽³⁾| T: C Johnston| OR: 77

33/1

Showed a good attitude when resuming winning ways at Doncaster (1½m) last month. Another creditable effort when second of 3 at Goodwood (1½m again) since. Tackles 1¾m for the first time here.

Form: 55-6212

Non-Runners

(7)

Torre Del Oro⁵¹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: A M Balding J: David Probert

(1)

Banderas⁵⁷

Weight: 8-8| Age: 3

T: M L W Bell J: N Callan

(4)

Cinnodin²²

Weight: 8-2| Age: 3

T: R Hughes J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Lordship (10/3), Rogue Sea (4/1), Pledgeofallegiance (4/1), Struth (7/1), Banderas (7/1), Chillhi (10/1), Midnight Lion (10/1), Galactic Jack (14/1), Cinnodin (16/1), Imaginary World (20/1), Rathgar (20/1), Torre Del Oro (20/1), Flower Of Dubai (25/1), Bulldog Spirit (33/1)

This is undoubtedly tougher than the handicaps PLEDGEOFALLEGIANCE has been winning but he didn't need to be subjected to strong pressure at Doncaster last week and can complete the hat-trick. Lordship, whose trainer has a good recent record in this race, heads the many dangers along with Midnight Lion and Rogue Sea.