Racecards
13:40 Haydock Park
Favourites Racing Handicap Chase (Class B)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Form 1P-F2P1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer S Sherwood
- Jockey J Culloty
led and jumped well, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
Red Striker
35- Form 1PP-502
- Age 9
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer R C Guest
- Jockey Richard Guest
held up, mistakes 5th and 11th, challenging when not fluent 2 out, kept on flat, no chance with winner
- Form 16F-P1P
- Age 9
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey R Garritty
close up, ridden 11th, weakend from next
Silence Reigns
371- Form 0/1412P-
- Age 9
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up, fell 2nd
- Form 41U513
- Age 9
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey W Marston
prominent, ridden 3 out, led approaching last, soon clear, eased flat
- Form B2F010
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Mrs H Dalton
- Jockey R Thornton
chased leaders, lost place 6th, rallied 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
In depth
Verdict
An early mistake last time out put paid to the chances of Gun'n Roses II at Doncaster but he had previously shown good form when winning at Wetherby and on his best form under Martin Pipe last season he should go close despite perhaps needing a softer surface. Wincanton specialist Upgrade has proved himself to be a class act on his day but is prone to the odd poor performance. If he is on a going day he should put up a good account of himself on his first visit to this track. Red Striker won the Peter Marsh here last season but struggled in subsequent races. He hinted at a return to form last time out at Ayr and with his trainer Richard Guest in good form he is entitled to run a big race. Il'Athou is another with a chance though he looks badly handicapped following a win in a decent race at Wetherby last month.