Racecards
12:35 Haydock Park
J.w.lees Victor Ludorum Juvenile Novices' Hurdle (Class 2)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £20,000 added
- Form 351
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey D F O'Regan
led, headed and not fluent approaching last, soon no extra
- Form 42132
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey P J Brennan
chased leader, led approaching and mistake last, driven out
Chesapeake (IRE)
138- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey R McGrath
tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, never dangerous after
Dar Es Salaam
106- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey T J O'Brien
chased leaders, jumped slowly and lost place from 5th
- Form 62
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
in touch and keen, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced
Make Haste (IRE)
136- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
prominent, ridden and behind approaching 4th, weakened 3 out
- Form 12
- Age 4
- Weight 10-11
held up in touch, every chance approaching 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on well towards finish
In depth
Verdict
Plenty is thought of Harry Tricker but he hasn't quite lived up to the hype as of yet and so preference is for Serabad ahead of Chesapeake. The selection has the highest official rating in the lineup and Peter Bowen's gelding should go well. He is proven on varying underfoot conditions and he is also proven on left-handed tracks. His form behind Franchoek looks rock solid and he can take this race before going on to better things, possibly a run in the Triumph at the Festival. There are several interesting flat recruits, all of which have shown ability on the flat and a check in the betting is needed for them all. Pagan Starprincess is better over hurdles than she was on the flat but still has a bit to find; she has also been beaten by Franchoek, however that was by 20 lengths on the flat. Harry Tricker has been well-backed on two starts and was well clear of the third when a runner-up at Fontwell, whilst Bayonyx may have been flattered by his win last time out as he poached five lengths at the start. An interesting opener, with the vote going to Serabad.
Formwatch
Bayonyx (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Made all, quickened 3 out, clear from last, won at Ayr 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Aureate (10-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
Serabad (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, mistake 3 out, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, held when mistake last, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Franchoek (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Chesapeake (IRE) 11-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders in 5th, ridden approaching straight, headway 2f out, challenged under 2f out, led over 1f out, headed under 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Zaralabad (9-5) at Roscommon 1m 4f mdn stk gd in Oct (Flat).
Dar Es Salaam 8-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling over 3f out, tailed off, last of 10, 49l behind Double Banded (9-0) at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Nov (Flat).
Harry Tricker 9-4 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, hard ridden and headed flat, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Sonning Star (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Make Haste (IRE) 15-8fav (9-7) In touch, chased leader 10f out, pushed along 5f out, ridden and every chance from 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Shine And Rise (9-4) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Oct (Flat).
Pagan Starprincess 3-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged when not fluent 3 out, ridden next, kept on and every chance last, no extra flat, 2nd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Furmigadelagiusta (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.