15:45 Haydock

Friday 6 September 2024

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 3m 9.49s

(5)

Seal Of Solomon^b¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: P J McDonald| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 76| D

40/1

Little to shout about this season, again finishing well held after 12 weeks off following another breathing operation at Southwell (12.1f) 19 days ago. Blinkers back on but continues to fall in the weights without showing any signs of taking advantage.

Form: 7-66570

(4)

Billy No Mates⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Rhys Elliott⁽⁷⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 73| CD

8/1

3-time C&D winner who wasn't disgraced from a falling mark when ninth of 11 at York (11.8f, good to soft) 8 weeks ago, ideally needing stronger gallop. Now 2 lb below last winning mark and shouldn't be underestimated returned to this venue.

Form: 1-26509

(8)

Animato^t,v¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 73

9/1

Won back-to-back handicaps in May but somewhat of a mixed bag since, one of his better efforts when third of 6 at Redcar (14f, good to firm) just under 2 weeks ago, albeit having run of race. Now just 1 lb above his last winning mark but consistency is his achilles heel.

Form: 157283

(6)

Hardy Bloke³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 70

10/1

Winning hurdler in Ireland for Emmer Mullins who looks to have been brought along with handicaps in mind judged on his 3 efforts on the level this summer. Step up in trip certainly in his favour and this looks more his bag, though drying ground will pose another question.

Form: 769

(3)

Haarar¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: D Egan| T: S England| OR: 69

13/2

Proved he still retains his ability in this sphere when runner-up at Thirsk in May and won back-to-back races over hurdles later that month. Never involved after 8 weeks off at Newcastle (16.2f) just over 2 weeks ago and others more appealing on balance.

Form: 62P6-29

(7)

Gifted Angel^p⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 68

15/2

Tasted success 3 times over hurdles during 2023 and back to form when a close third at Chester in July. Proved nothing like so effective back at 2m at York later that month but this should prove more suitable (remains long-standing maiden on Flat, however).

Form: 23-3937

(11)

Frankelian^p1²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 75

10/3

Fairly useful maiden who shaped similarly to previously back in maiden company when runner-up at Lingfield (11.6f, good) just under 4 weeks ago, needing the emphasis more on stamina. Extra distance sure to play to her strengths and first-time headgear is also enlisted.

Form: 36-3352

(9)

Lunar Jet⁵⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: D C Costello| T: Steph Hollinshead| OR: 65

33/1

Soft-ground specialist scored early last season at Redcar (10f, heavy). Just respectable efforts this season and latest outing at Chester (12.3f, soft) just under 8 weeks ago suggested this step back up in trip is worth exploring again. Career-low mark to work with, too.

Form: 456-575

(12)

Easy Dancer³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Joe Leavy⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 73| D

10/1

Opened his account on his second start in a handicap at Wolverhampton (14f) in July but failed to beat a rival at Sandown (14f, good to firm) later that month, not looking a straightforward ride. Possibly better on all-weather at present so best to look elsewhere.

Form: 88-7016

(10)

Far L'Amore^b1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Watson| T: B J Meehan| OR: 73

17/2

Stuck pretty well to his task in first-time cheekpieces when 2¾ lengths fourth of 6 to Almudena in handicap at Sandown (14f, good to firm) in July but appeared not to stay the longer trip at Newcastle (16.2f) just over 2 weeks ago. Back down in distance and more severe headgear reached for.

Form: 453340

(2)

Knight Templar³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Stephens| OR: 66

11/2

Disappointed on final start Sir Mark Prescott but looked well suited by the 2f longer trip when opening his account for new connections at Ffos Las (12f, soft) last month, staying on to lead post (runner-up has won twice since). Upped further in trip and should have more to offer.

Form: 90-2281

Non-Runners

(1)

Desert Quest²⁴

Weight: 8-11| Age: 6

T: Ewan Whillans J: Rowan Scott

Forecasts

Frankelian (10/3), Knight Templar (11/2), Desert Quest (6/1), Haarar (13/2), Gifted Angel (15/2), Billy No Mates (8/1), Far L'Amore (17/2), Animato (9/1), Easy Dancer (10/1), Hardy Bloke (10/1), Lunar Jet (33/1), Seal Of Solomon (40/1)

Plenty in with a squeak for the longest race on the card but the suggestion is KNIGHT TEMPLAR, who made a winning start for new connections at Ffos Las last month and, upped further in trip, Robert Stephens' 3-y-o is fancied to take his form up a notch. Second choice is Frankelian, who is the only filly in the line-up and should be suited by this extra distance sporting first-time headgear. 3-time C&D winner Billy No Mates can edge out the consistent Desert Quest for third.