16:45 Haydock

Saturday 25 May 2024

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

Costello Florida Handicap

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 2m 39.40s

(10)

Western Stars⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: R Kingscote| T: J R Boyle| OR: 74| C

5/2

Won 3 times since joining his current yard last summer (including here) and left a pair of low-key efforts this term in his wake when third at Newbury (12f) 8 days ago. On a workable mark and he's one to be interested in again.

Form: 123-003

(8)

Bustaam¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 74

13/2

Off the mark in decisive fashion at Doncaster (10.2f, heavy) in March and didn't do much wrong when runner-up at Pontefract next time. Quickly dispelled a lesser effort when seventh in 20-runner York handicap (11.8f) last week and return to a forecast slower surface here can help.

Form: 48-1207

(9)

Eyetrap¹²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: P Cosgrave| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 73

5/1

Lightly-raced 1m 2f winner (on heavy) and far from disgraced on back of an 8-month break when seventh of 14 in handicap at Chelmsford (10f) in January. Bred to stay well so this step up in trip could unlock further progress back from another break.

Form: 803/13-7

(4)

Alshadhian²⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: A King| OR: 71

12/1

Fair maiden for Ralph Beckett, running best race when runner-up over 1m 6f here in September. Switched yards ahead of return and sufficiently lightly raced to think he could yet have more to offer. Steps back in trip.

Form: 4/4542-

(11)

Squeezebox^h1²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Frederick Larson⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 71| BF

11/1

Dual winner at up to 10f upon joining this yard last summer and ended last season with good placed efforts at Newmarket/Catterick. Did too much too soon on return at Bath in April but that ought to have blown the cobwebs away. Hood on 1st time.

Form: 16122-7

(7)

Powerful Response¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Rowan Scott| T: G A Harker| OR: 69

17/2

Career best when winning 8-runner handicap at Nottingham (10.2f, heavy) last month. Creditable fourth at Ayr next time and not seen to anything like best effect when ninth in 20-runner handicap at York (11.8f) 10 days ago. Remains unexposed at this sort of trip.

Form: 20-4149

(2)

Molinari¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 68| D

11/1

Thirteen runs since last win in 2022 but fallen plenty in the weights as a result and far from disgraced when fourth at Newcastle (10.2f) 13 days ago, keeping on inside final 1f. Drops in class here and not dismissed out of hand.

Form: 0459-74

(3)

Natchez Trace⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Zak Wheatley⁽⁵⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 65| D

22/1

All 3 victories for this yard have come on AW. Operating below best upon returning on turf this spring but did at least take a step back in the right direction when fourth over hurdles at Huntingdon on Tuesday. Still, others preferred.

Form: 700-976

(1)

Corsican Caper²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Saffie Osborne| T: K Frost| OR: 59| D

11/2

Capitalised on further reduced mark at Catterick in April and had little fuss in following up at Doncaster 3 days later. Moved into the race well but ultimately found things tougher in pursuit of the hat-trick when fourth at Salisbury (14.2f) 3 weeks ago. Still, not discounted.

Form: 684114

Non-Runners

(6)

Story Horse²⁹

Weight: 9-9| Age: 4

T: W J Knight J: Callum Shepherd

(5)

Sutue Alshams²³⁴

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: I Jardine J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Western Stars (5/2), Eyetrap (5/1), Corsican Caper (11/2), Bustaam (13/2), Powerful Response (17/2), Sutue Alshams (10/1), Squeezebox (11/1), Molinari (11/1), Alshadhian (12/1), Story Horse (12/1), Natchez Trace (22/1)

WESTERN STARS made a much better fist of things back down in grade when producing his best effort of the season so far when third at Newbury 8 days ago, and could just be worth siding with to build on that from what rates a workable mark. The returning Alshadhian on debut for Alan King and bottom-weight Corsican Caper are others to consider. Eyetrap is also worth keeping an eye on back from a break now his stamina is tested further.