led to 3rd, remained close up, led again 3 out, ridden and under pressure approaching last, headed flat, rallied and stayed on towards finish, just held
held up mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, effort 8th, never dangerous
held up, pushed along 8th, soon struggling
held up, headway 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, stumbled 4th, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace
held up, headway 8th, ridden 4 out, kept on
chased leaders, hit 7th, soon lost place
held up mid-division, jumped slow 8th, lost place, headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, challenged on bit approaching 2 out, led flat, driven out
held up mid-division, outpaced 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened approaching last
held up, pushed along 7th, soon detached, pulled up before 2 out
with leader, led after 3rd, blundered 3 out, soon headed, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
GRIZEBECK is our selection in this ultra-competitive affair although Inchidaly Rock and Heathcliff are sure to have their supporters. Although chasing is likely to be his game, Grizebeck has shown plenty of aptitude for staying trips over hurdles and he was not stopping at Ayr when slamming the field by seven lengths. Handily weighted, he can give a good account in this tougher contest. Inchidaly Rock dotted up in an egg and spoon race at Taunton. He had been beaten at 2/7 at Chepstow previously. Heathcliff has been a credit to Richard Lee this term. Large rises for his successes were simply inevitable but he won at Warwick with a considerable amount in hand. Otto des Pictons is a fascinating runner in this contest. Fourth at Sandown in a Grade three event, he has given the impression that there could be plenty of improvement for this step up in trip. Tazbar hasn't quite lived up to some of the lofty reputation that his early career efforts promised. Nevertheless, he has a rich history of running well at this course. He would need to reverse form with Pennek on their recent meeting at Cheltenham. Scriptwriter was notoriously quirky when with Godolphin and while his hurdling technique is far from foot perfect, he arrives at Haydock off the back of a fair reappearance effort. Charlie Crab is entirely unpredictable but he has to be respected at this level as his trainer has plenty of winners at this course. Synchronised won readily at Wincanton and could be open to any measure of improvement. Wind Instrument looked a useful recruit to the chasing scene but has regressed badly so this may be a welcome confidence booster. Foreman won the AIG Hurdle in Ireland a couple of seasons ago so there is little doubt that this is a massive drop in expectation. Mendo would have chances on the best of his form whilst Kawagino represents a yard that had a recent winner so the market is watched. A tough contest for punters so Grizebeck is put up at a working man's price.
Tazbar (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Pressed leader, jumped right 5th, mistake 3 out, outpaced and dropped rear when not fluent 2 out, stayed on flat, 5th of 11, 10l behind Big Buck's (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Kawagino (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden and lost place 7th, 8th of 18, 23l behind Lough Derg (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Foreman (GER) 15-2 (11-2) In rear, ridden and no impression from 4 out, 7th of 10, 50l behind Kerryhead Windfarm (10-11) at Killarney 2m 5f chs gd in May.
The Jazz Musician (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Not fluent 1st, blundered badly 2nd, behind from next, hampered 2 out, 10th of 15, well behind Presenting Copper (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Inchidaly Rock (IRE) 1-3fav (11-5) Made all, shaken up to draw clear from 2 out, unchallenged, won at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Jokers Legacy (10-12) by 10l, 8 ran.
Heathcliff (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (10-5) In touch, chased leader 3rd, led after 9th, drew clear from approaching 2 out, won at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan beating Caipiroska (10-7) by 27l, 7 ran.
Pennek (FR) 7-2fav (11-8) Mid-division, headway 9th, ridden after 3 out, under strong pressure from 2 out, ran on flat, 3rd of 12, nk behind Maktu (10-9) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Charlie Crab 5-1 (11-6) In touch, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 14, 32l behind Arctic Wings (10-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Scriptwriter (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Mid-division, blundered and lost place 1st, headway 4 out, ridden next and kept on same pace, 5th of 18, 7l behind Lough Derg (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Synchronised (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway 6th, chased leader 3 out, challenged on bit after 2 out, led, blundered last, soon recovered, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan beating Cashel Blue (10-10) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Otto des Pictons (FR) 15-2 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden and not fluent 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 14, 3l behind Chief Yeoman (10-10) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Jan.
Bulwark (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Held up, mistake 6th, headway 9th, weakened after next, blundered badly 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Pettifour (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Rebel Rhythm 20-1 (9-11) Always towards rear, pushed along from 7th, soon struggling, 8th of 12, 26l behind Nacarat (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
Pistol Desbois (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Chased leader until mistake and unseated rider in race won by Borero (11-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy, 12 ran.
Wind Instrument (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Chased leader 2nd to 11th, ridden and struggling from 13th, tailed off, 3rd of 4, 46l behind Millenium Royal (11-8) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov chs (3) hvy.
Mendo 7-1 (11-0) 5th when blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Hennessy (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Jan, 8 ran.
Grizebeck (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Made all, clear when not fluent last, easily, won at Ayr 3m nov hdl (4) sft beating Merigo (10-12) by 7l, 6 ran.
Heraldry (IRE) 15-2 (10-2) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, led approaching last, drew clear flat, eased near finish, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan beating Tighten Your Belt (11-7) by 11l, 8 ran.
Jokers Legacy (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, keen early, went 2nd and mistake 3 out, soon ridden, kept on for clear 2nd but held from next, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Inchidaly Rock (11-5) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
