Some Like It Heavy!

 

 

As expected tomorrow’s racing (assuming it’s on) will be on heavy ground. Though often not ideal, this does suit all the horses fancied this weekend so isn’t too bad. As put up on this blog a couple of days ago, Merry King (pictured above battling at Newbury) would appear to have more to come and having just opened up 7/2 for the Tommy Whittle Chase, looks worth a few quid. For more details on why he looks nicely handicapped, see the above link. Haydock is also the host of a few other fancies for tomorrow and one of those is Donald McCain’s Hollow Tree (pictured below) who certainly thrives when the mud is flying. Last winter he beat future Cheltenham and Aintree (and Fighting Fifth) winner Countrywide Flame, and although having to give weight to the field tomorrow you would expect him to run a nice race. His form is extremely smart and depending on price I’d be getting involved if he’s not too short.

Another Haydock-bound fancy is also trained by McCain and that is Desert Cry. Last time he ran at the course he finished 2 lengths 2^nd to Celestial Halo (though in receipt of 8lb) in a heavy ground Gr2, so it is surprising he is only running off a mark of 127. He previously finished around 4 lengths behind the very smart Bold Sir Brian (giving that rival 4lb) in a Gr2, which further cements the fact that he could be seriously underestimated off his current mark.

Tracking back to the first race on the card and Kim Bailey’s Able Deputy could still have more to come off his revised mark of 122. He is 5lb higher than his narrow 2^nd last time but the winner (Tanerko Emery) won again next time out and the 3^rd horse (Barenger) is one I feel to be very favourably handicapped. That run was in heavy ground so tomorrow’s conditions should suit fine and he could take all the beating.

Another who I think will be okay tomorrow’s conditions is Hold On Julio (pictured above) who runs at Ascot after failing to justify his connections bullish attitude in the Hennessy. It could be that the ground dried out too much for him last time and he certainly looked outpaced before staying on to take 5^th in the closing stages. He has actually been dropped 2lb for that effort and I think it’s a matter of time before he wins one of these Handicap Chases off his current mark.

Ulck Du Lin also ran on Hennessy Gold Cup Day, and having been put up on this blog at 5/1 the night before, duly obliged to take the final race of Newbury’s Winter Festival at an SP of 2/1. He has gone up 10lb for that victory but looks progressive so could have more to offer as he’s an improving 4yo and won on soft in France so will hopefully be okay in that respect.

2 other slightly weaker fancies also ran at Newbury and although flopping in a Handicap Hurdle, I’m keen to see Cedre Bleu (pictured above) back over fences as I feel he will improve in that sphere. He should be sharper for Newbury but is unlikely to be much of a price so will be one to just watch. Dancingtilmidnight won at Newbury and although I won’t be backing tomorrow, he is well regarded by connections so would be another I’ll keep a close eye on.

As always, good luck! And don’t forget we posted a couple of 20/1 shots that may be overpriced for the Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot so have a browse and most of all - enjoy!

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