mid-division, headway approaching 15th, ridden approaching 3 out, faded from last
mid-division, headway 9th, led 15th, hit last, headed flat, no extra
in touch, headway after 14th, chased leader after 4 out, led flat, kept on well
towards rear, reminders and mistake 13th, soon weakened
led to 11th, outpaced approaching 15th, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish
mid-division, blundered 10th, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up 4 out
headway 9th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
always towards rear, weakened from 12th, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, led 11th, headed 15th, no extra flat
mid-division, hit 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 14th
with leader, stumbled 9th, mistake and outpaced from 15th, stayed on from last
not jumped well, close up, weakened from 15th, pulled up 3 out
chased leaders, reminders 14th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Kilbeggan Blade, Datito and Hautclan are the three for the shortlist and our preference is for Datito. Staying really is at a premium on this heavy going at Haydock and the lightly raced 11-year-old looks to be the horse for the job. A winner at Carlisle on his latest start, he appears to relish a slog in the mud and he has shown form over extreme trips in the past. Tom George has a history of sending decent chasers to Haydock so Kilbeggan Blade is respected. A ready winner at Market Rasen, he is going the right way. Hautclan carries the colours of Trevor Hemmings so has to be observed in the market. Fifth to Neptune Collonges in the Rehearsal Chase, he had to be pushed along from some way out to keep on the pace. Truckers Tavern finished behind on that day but could go well on this occasion as this looks to be one of his better tracks. Ranelagh Gray steps up in grade and there will be no hiding place on this occasion. Ironside appeared to show improved form for the application of headgear and it remains to be seen as to whether they will work for a second occasion. This race will see few finishers but we believe that Datito will be first home.
Hautclan (FR) 12-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden 13th, soon outpaced, stayed on from 3 out, no impression, 5th of 11, 3l behind Neptune Collonges (11-9) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Truckers Tavern (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, ridden 13th, never on terms, 6th of 11, 13l behind Neptune Collonges (11-9) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Kilbeggan Blade 5-4fav (11-12) Held up, headway after 3 out, led 2 out, ran on well from last, won at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov beating Kitski (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Datito (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) In rear, smooth headway 12th, ridden to lead 2 out, held on well towards finish, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov beating Huka Lodge (10-1) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Moorlands Again 14-1 (10-2) Chased leader until lost place 11th, behind after, 5th of 11, 19l behind Tana River (11-5) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft.
Supreme Breeze (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) In touch, pushed along 19th, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 12, 43l behind Naunton Brook (10-5) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Major Benefit (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Soon in mid-division, headway approaching 8th, weakened 12th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Simon (11-3) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Apr, 13 ran.
Waynesworld (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, well behind Duncliffe (10-9) at Ascot 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Ranelagh Gray (IRE) 5-2 (10-7) Chased leader, led 11th, mistake 13th, blundered 16th, ridden after 4 out, stayed on gamely from 3 out, won at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft beating Doc Row (11-12) by 8l, 5 ran.
Jaloux d'Estruval (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Mistakes, held up in 3rd until 14th, oupaced 16th, rallied 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 5, 28l behind Mr Dow Jones (11-3) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Ironside (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Led after 2nd, headed and jumped slowly 8th, led again 10th, ridden 2 out, ran on, won at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft beating Surefast (9-10) by 5l, 11 ran.
Bannister Lane 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, struggling from 10th, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Jungle Jinks (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
River of Light (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden after 10th, soon behind, 8th of 14, well behind Southerndown (10-6) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
Sailor A'Hoy 11-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, headed and blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 20l behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
