Jump Racing ~ 19th Nov

[mileni4uk]

How's the ground been at Haydock today? I wasn't watching, but saw there's been some rain. On course's website:

Going Report Friday 18th November; 2:15 pm Good to Soft C: 5.9, H: 5.6

On RP:

GOING: GOOD (Chase 5.9, Hurdle 5.6) changing to GOOD TO SOFT after race 3 (1.55pm). (White cloud, light rain)

I guess we should expect g/s tomorrow? Didn't look likely at the beginning of the week.

[Lars]

Re: Jump Racing ~ 19th Nov 13:55 Haydock GURTACRUE is only having his second start over fences which in a handicap like this over 3m4f could be seen as a problem. However, his debut against the bigger obstacles over three miles was very promising and indicated that he’d appreciate the step up in trip and he looks on a decent mark here for his first foray into Handicap Company, with further progression almost inevitable. A point to point and bumper winner in Ireland, he was bought for £95,000 for current connections last year and he’s been brought along slowly, racing four times. He ran well in all four of them but consistently shaped like he’d want a fair bit further, including when finally getting off the mark over timber at Fontwell in March over 2m3f, as it took him forever to get past the but it was a gutsy display to do so. With a summer on his back, he looked more mature on his first chase start when last seen at Chepstow (had previously looked a difficult ride). Jumping well, he got a bit outpaced under fairly considerate handling and looked to be tailing off before staying on nicely to almost snatch 3rd. That was a competitive affair for the grade and Gurtacrue shaped with obvious promise, indicating that a step up in trip would be no bad thing. He gets that today over this 3m4f trip and he looks like he’ll carry on improving with a further emphasis on stamina, so I’d expect that the trip won’t be an issue. A handicap mark of 121 looks very workable, especially as he’s shaped in the past that he could be very useful. I think a mark in the 130’s is within reach in the very near future. That makes him look obviously “well-in” on my calculations but it isn’t so simple in a race like this, with a few coming in with good chances (Eyre Square and Morning Moment two I’d be most worried about). The fact he is inexperienced over fences is also a worry but he jumped nicely last time and I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, especially as he’s likely to have improved for the experience as well as the outing. At 7/1, he’s worthy of an investment as if he jumps well enough, then he’ll definitely be on the premises off a handicap mark of 121, with the softening ground fine and Evan Williams amongst the winners. GURTACRUE; 2pts @ 7/1 Bet365 (bog)