14:25 Haydock

Saturday 10 August 2024

All14:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:5018:25

Betfred 'The Classic Bookmaker' Handicap

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 1m 39.40s

(3)

Sterling Knight^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: S D Bowen⁽³⁾| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 93| C| D

11/1

Winner of handicaps at Newbury (7f) and Newmarket (1m) this summer but no excuses from this mark at Ascot a couple of weeks ago.

Form: 061017

(6)

Diamondonthehill⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: David Probert| T: M Dods| OR: 90| D

11/1

Latest win at Thirsk in May. Good second of 8 back at Thirsk (7f, good) last Saturday, going down only narrowly to a progressive 3-y-o. Respected.

Form: 7-71372

(2)

Bear Force One²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: C Lee| T: M Dods| OR: 90| D

18/1

Has largely struggled since winning at Newbury (1m) for Roger Teal at the start of last summer, although it's possible he's needed both comeback outings for his new stable in recent months. Worth a second look in the betting.

Form: 1060-00

(11)

Helm Rock^t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Jim Crowley| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 90| CD

11/1

C&D winner. Likely in better form than his last couple of results suggest, meeting trouble and finishing with running left in a Racing League handicap last week. On a winning mark and his yard is going well so there are reasons to be positive.

Form: 3-80758

(1)

Spectacular Style^h1³¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Cameron Noble| T: R Varian| OR: 82| BF

17/2

Came good in a 1½m Hamilton novice last September and ended his 3-y-o season with a creditable fourth in a Newmarket handicap (1½m again) later that month. Interesting that a top stable has stuck with him at 4 but takes a marked drop in trip on this rather belated return. Also hooded first time.

Form: 22214-

(10)

Cruyff Turn⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Sean Kirrane| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82| D

12/1

Very useful handicapper in his prime. Placed twice from his reduced mark in June but only a respectable sixth of 10 at Thirsk last weekend. Down another 3 lb but others are still preferred.

Form: 083396

(7)

Theme Park¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Rowan Scott| T: N Tinkler| OR: 82| D

6/1

Improved on recent efforts to win 15-runner handicap at York (1m, good to firm, 9/2) 14 days ago by neck from Boy Douglas, conceding first run. Raised 4 lb but he retains handicapping scope on last year's peak form.

Form: 6-05051

(5)

Kilt⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 87| D

6/4

Much improved from his AW debut in December when winning a 15-runner novice on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket in May. Only sixth under a penalty on the July Course there since but that was a hot race and he remains a useful prospect for handicaps.

Form: 3-16

(9)

Old Cock^t⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: P J McDonald| T: E Bethell| OR: 83| BF| C| D

6/1

1m Ayr maiden winner in the spring who made a successful start to his handicap career over 1¼m here in June. Something can't have been right when tailed off at Pontefract since. Retains potential.

Form: 4119

Non-Runners

(12)

Twirling³⁰

Weight: 10-2| Age: 4

T: S & E Crisford J: J Mitchell

(4)

Golspie⁷⁸

Weight: 8-11| Age: 4

T: P Morris J: Liam Keniry

(8)

Phoenix Passion⁴⁵

Weight: 8-10| Age: 3

T: E Walker J: Saffie Osborne

Forecasts

Kilt (6/4), Phoenix Passion (5/1), Old Cock (6/1), Theme Park (6/1), Spectacular Style (17/2), Twirling (10/1), Sterling Knight (11/1), Diamondonthehill (11/1), Helm Rock (11/1), Cruyff Turn (12/1), Golspie (16/1), Bear Force One (18/1)

THEME PARK did well to get up at York last time after conceding first run and is narrowly preferred to William Haggas handicap newcomer Kilt, who should have more to offer after only 3 starts. Helm Rock has been better than the result in his recent outings and also makes the shortlist in a competitive opener.