15:15 Haydock

Saturday 28 September 2024

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

My Pension Expert Handicap

Off time: 15:17 | Winning time: 1m 2.91s

(3)

Wiltshire⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 101

5/1

Lightly raced 4-y-o who was value for extra when making a winning return at Newbury (6f) in April. Had firmer ground as an excuse next time and he was quickly back on the up when posting a career-best display to score at Newcastle (6f) in June. Big shout up 6 lb back from a break.

Form: 501-101

(10)

Silky Wilkie^v⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Sam Feilden⁽⁷⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 100| CD

8/1

Comes here on a long losing run but confirmed more positive signs from the Portland when posting a cracking second (visored) in last week's Ayr Gold Cup, the only one to serve it up to stablemate Lethal Levi. Well proven with give underfoot and respected back at 5f.

Form: 628082

(5)

Blue Storm²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: J Mitchell| T: G Tutty| OR: 99| D

9/1

Useful colt who landed 3-y-o "Dash" at Epsom prior to a fine second in big-field Royal Ascot handicap. Below best when sixth in listed Beverley Bullet but return to handicaps in his favour and another who will have problem with forecast conditions.

Form: 31-4126

(7)

Designer³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: H Crouch| T: J Butler| OR: 93| D

10/1

Had wind op/off 11 months before coming in only twelfth of 14 in handicap at York (5f, good to firm) on her belated return 38 days ago. Needs to take a big step forward.

Form: 84148-0

(2)

Jer Batt²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: T D Barron| OR: 92| CD

7/2

C&D winner in August who quickly dispelled a lesser effort on all-weather when runner-up in 10-runner handicap back here 21 days ago, beaten only by a progressive 3-y-o. Should give another good account from same mark.

Form: 0-43102

(8)

Changeofmind²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D Carroll| OR: 90| D

12/1

Low-mileage 4-y-o who got back on track when second of 9 in handicap at Hamilton (5f, soft) in August. Not himself when last of 10 in C&D handicap 21 days ago though, and this looks another deep enough race.

Form: 98-8620

(4)

Hyperfocus^p⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 8-12| J: Sean Kirrane| T: T D Easterby| OR: 87| C| D

14/1

4-time course winner who has tasted success twice at Chester (at up to 6f) this summer and quickly put 2 lesser runs behind him when second of 10 in handicap (5f, soft) back at that venue 7 days ago, beaten only by a well-handicapped rival. Each-way possibilities.

Form: 011092

(1)

Aberama Gold^b¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: Mark Winn| T: D O'Meara| OR: 85| D

9/2

Won Stewards' Cup last year and looked to be coming to the boil again before lesser efforts at Newcastle/Doncaster in recent weeks. The fact he's gone well under testing conditions is an obvious plus here though and his mark has steadily eased this term. Blinkers back on.

Form: 743480

(9)

Blind Beggar^b¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 84| D

16/1

Bounced back to winning ways in the mud at Bath (5f, heavy) in April. Seen only twice since, shaping with a little encouragement after 5 months off when sixth of 11 in handicap at Doncaster (5f, good to soft) 13 days ago. Entitled to be sharper with that under his belt.

Form: 607106

(6)

Never Dark⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-3| J: Alex Jary⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 78| CD

10/1

Made all at Nottingham in July and whilst he's found life tougher since, he did hint at a revival when finishing midfield in last week's Ayr Silver Cup. Handicapper has given him a chance if he can build on that and he landed this race from a 4 lb higher mark 12 months ago.

Form: 926000

Forecasts

Jer Batt (7/2), Aberama Gold (9/2), Wiltshire (5/1), Silky Wilkie (8/1), Blue Storm (9/1), Designer (10/1), Never Dark (10/1), Changeofmind (12/1), Hyperfocus (14/1), Blind Beggar (16/1)

Low-mileage 4-y-o WILTSHIRE took his form up another notch when successful at Newcastle in June and, with a 6 lb rise looking far from prohibitive, he looks to hold sound claims of coming out on top again returned to turf. Silky Wilkie, following his excellent second in last week's Ayr Gold Cup is a threat with conditions holding no fears. Jer Batt and Blue Storm complete the shortlist.