held up in rear, headway 11th, weakened after 15th
prominent, pecked 1st, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened last
prominent, pecked 4th, led 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on well flat
held up, headway and hit 11th, ridden and hit 3 out, soon weakened
led, hit 1st, headed 9th, ridden and lost place after 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway 13th, ridden 2 out, every chence last, one pace flat
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, chance last, no extra towards finish
A potentially trappy handicap here, but Manbow made good strides last year and we take him to maintain that improvement after a summer off, with Catch The Perk and Shannon's Pride the likely main dangers. Micky Hammond has gone on record as suggesting Manbow could win a decent prize one day, and from what we have seen few would argue strongly against him. A very nice sort, he racked up four wins from six starts last winter, including three at Wetherby, which is not too dissimilar to Haydock. He is best on decent ground and can win after a break, so we take him to score. Catch The Perk is another in fine form for Lucinda Russell, and conditions will also be to his liking. However, he needs a lifetime best to win off this mark and is vulnerable to our improver. Of the remainder, Shannon's Pride comes from a yard in form and has the ability to be closely involved, though the worry is his fitness after an absence, as he has tended to need a run. However, Manbow looks a decent prospect and is capable of winning on his full handicap debut.
Silver Knight 13-2 (11-9) Tracked leader, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Rosie Redman (9-12) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs (B) sft in Apr '04.
Jungle Jinks (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) With winner to after 5 out, soon ridden, outpaced, weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, 46l behind Tom's Prize (10-12) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Apr.
Catch The Perk (IRE) 6-5fav (11-1) Led, ridden 2 out, headed briefly last, stayed on gamely run-in, won at Hexham 3m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept beating Rathlin Island (10-12) by a hd, 6 ran.
Shannon's Pride (IRE) 3-1co-fav (11-8) In touch, led 10th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Isellido (10-9) at Hexham 3m 1f chs (E) gd in Apr.
Spinofski 9-1 (11-9) Chased leader, led 12th, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Twisted Logic (11-7) at Exeter 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Apr.
Manbow (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Held up, headway after 5 out, led after 4 out, jumped right 3 out and next, kept on from last, won at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Mar beating Ryminster (10-0) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Iverain (FR) 12-1 (11-1) With leader, led 9th, headed 12th, ridden and kept on from 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Ross Comm (11-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gf.
