Haydock - Sat 20th Feb

[fintron]

3.35 Haydock According to Pete doesn't go so a field of fourteen are set to face the starter for this handicap chase run over a distance of 3m 4f. Many of these rivals locked horns in the Welsh National two weeks ago and that looks a pivotal piece of form for this race with all of the first six home reopposing here. The winner, DREAM ALLIANCE , was handed a 9 lb rise by the assessor but he stayed on nicely to take the prize and it is possible he is still ahead of the handicapper given he is lightly raced having been off the track with a tendon injury. His long term target remains the Grand National (for which he was advised as an ante-post selection last month on this blog) but with the weights already published for the Aintree spectacular, Phillip Hobbs has nothing to lose by racing him this weekend and stepping up his preperations for April. Le Beau Bai and Silver By Nature chased him home at Chepstow and both look open to further improvement over fences and Coe (6th) is also on the shortlist having ruined his chances by racing keenly and making a mistake three out last time. Off a 1 lb lower mark he has possibilities, as do L'Aventure, Mon Mome and Miko du Beauchene who bring proven stamina and experience to the table and should run solid races. This looks a mouth watering contest that could have an important bearing on the Grand National. Dream Alliance is nominated as the winner. 7/1 William Hill, 1 pt win/0.5 pt place (3 places, 1/4 odds).

[diamond1924]

Re: Haydock - Sat 20th Feb good luck Fin, I've just re-watched that Chepstow race, had forgotten how nicely he'd stayed on. :hope