15:00 Haydock

Saturday 9 September 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 3m 2.61s

(5)

Enemy^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Cieren Fallon| T: Ian Williams| OR: 106| D

50/1

Smart gelding who was better than ever in the Middle East at the start of the year but well held in 4 starts back in Britain this summer. Arrives with something to prove.

Form: 285500

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(4)

Tritonic³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 100

14/1

Not proving the easiest to catch right of late, only fourteenth of 17 in handicap at Goodwood (20.4f, soft) 36 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 210-030

(12)

Get Shirty^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 100| C| D

22/1

Had excellent 2022, with wins in Copper Horse at Royal Ascot and Old Newton Cup here. Has yet to hit top form in Britain this term though so others are preferred.

Form: 069950

(2)

Caius Chorister¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Spencer| T: D Menuisier| OR: 99

6/1

Rapid improver in handicaps last year, winning 5 in a row. Has yet to score this term but comes here on the back of a good sixth of 22 in Ebor at York 14 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 0-22056

(10)

Euchen Glen¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 97| CD

12/1

Several big wins in his long career, including in this event in 2020. Posted another solid effort when fourth of 22 in Ebor at York last time so needs considering.

Form: 040834

(9)

Adjuvant¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: N Callan| T: M L W Bell| OR: 97| D

15/2

Consistent sort who won at Newmarket (1¾m) in May. Rare below-par run when thirteenth of 22 in Ebor at York 14 days ago and no surprise to see him get back on track.

Form: 8-21520

(8)

Sea King¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 95

9/2

Lightly raced 4-y-o who comes here on the back of a career-best win in 4-runner handicap at Goodwood (12f, soft) 13 days ago, always holding on. One for the shortlist.

Form: 74D7-21

(13)

Aztec Empire¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: A M Balding| OR: 93| BF

4/1

Pair of all-weather wins at up to 2m at Kempton this winter and has continued on the up on turf, neck second of 14 to Forza Orta at York (2m) 17 days ago despite not enjoying a clear run. Player despite a 3 lb rise.

Form: 166332

(11)

Post Impressionist¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 93| D

10/1

Dual winner in 2022 who got back on track when ninth of 22 in Ebor at York 14 days ago. Needs considering off a 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 31-0979

(7)

Mr Curiosity¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 92| D

12/1

Back to winning ways at Ripon in July and in good form since, fourth of 14 in handicap at York (11.8f, good to firm) 15 days ago. Not dismissed.

Form: 8-53154

(1)

Forza Orta¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Rowan Scott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 90

7/1

Resumed winning ways in 14-runner handicap at York (16.2f, good to firm) 17 days ago by neck from Aztec Empire, always holding on. Up 4 lb but he ought to be in the shake-up.

Form: 3-57721

(3)

Nolton Cross²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: C Lee| T: H Palmer| OR: 90

18/1

Three AW wins earlier in the year and has shown he's as effective on turf with creditable efforts in competitive handicaps in recent weeks, sixth at Ascot latest. Not out of things.

Form: 603636

(15)

Haliphon^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: B A Curtis| T: Ian Williams| OR: 86| D

33/1

Yet to score this term and he came in only eleventh of 14 to Forza Orta in handicap at York (16.2f, good to firm) 17 days ago. Not ruled out back in trip now though.

Form: 075820

(14)

La Pulga¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 85| D

40/1

All-the-way winner at Hamilton in June but he's been below that form on his last 3 starts, racing wide though when tenth of 14 to Forza Orta at York (2m) 17 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 123500

Non-Runners

(6)

Dark Island²

Weight: 8-2| Age: 4

T: H Main J: Mia Nicholls

Forecasts

Aztec Empire (4/1), Sea King (9/2), Caius Chorister (6/1), Forza Orta (7/1), Adjuvant (15/2), Post Impressionist (10/1), Mr Curiosity (12/1), Euchen Glen (12/1), Tritonic (14/1), Nolton Cross (18/1), Get Shirty (22/1), Dark Island (25/1), Haliphon (33/1), La Pulga (40/1), Enemy (50/1)

AZTEC EMPIRE has yet to score on turf but ran a cracker when just edged out by Forza Orta at York last time having suffered a troubled passage and can reverse the placings on 1 lb better terms. Kevin Ryan's 5-y-o is also at the top of his game and feared most, although a solid case can also be made for Sea King, Caius Chorister and Nolton Cross in a highly competitive Old Borough Cup.