Racecards
16:15 Haydock Park
Totesport.Com National Hunt Sires Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat (Class H)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Form 0-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey Mr K E Power
mid-division, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 3f, never dangerous
Villon (IRE)
200- Form 1-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-11
tracked leaders and took keen hold, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on and hung left inside final furlong
Vital Spark
27- Form 1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer J Jefferson
- Jockey M Seston
in touch, weakened 5f out
Aces Four (IRE)
201- Form 225-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
mid-division, headway halfway, weakened over 4f out
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey D Elsworth
held up, raced wide, smooth headway approaching 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
Gulabill
229- Form 0-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on
- Form P21-P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey B P Harding
in rear, headway 4f out, soon ridden, stayed on final 2f, not able to challenge
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
took keen hold, always towards rear
- Form 2
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey G Carenza
tracked leaders on outer, ridden and weakened 3f out
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer S Sherwood
- Jockey A P McCoy
mid-division, headway halfway, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
Two Rivers (IRE)
299- Form P50-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J Candlish
- Jockey A O'keeffe
led early, prominent, weakened over 5f out
In depth
Verdict
Villon can land the finale at the expense of Kingscourt Lad and Vital Spark. Len Lungo mentioned three bumper inmates in dispatches, the others being Wild Cane Ridge and Dunnet Head, and we will be surprised if Villon does not go on to better things. He won his bumper at Carlisle very easily, and although related to decent chaser Denys Adventure, has the speed to make a nice hurdler. If fit enough he can make Kingscourt Lad pull out all the stops as he bids to add to his success at Uttoxeter where he was all out to hold on after looking well in command at one stage. The other one to note here is Vital Spark who displayed plenty of stamina when opening his account at Carlisle. The stable is in form and he should run well although he does not make as much appeal as the first two mentioned. Nigel Twiston-Davies saddles Willy Furnley who could be anything, while Sue Smith has two runners, with Dominic Elsworth siding with newcomer Bougoure. Not a bad race to end with then, and for the winner we return to Villon.