Racecards
13:40 Haydock Park
Totesport Handicap Hurdle (Class B )
- 16 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
Royaleety (FR)
232- Form 510FPU-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D R Dennis
held up, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 2635-12
- Age 7
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey D Elsworth
prominent, ridden to lead approaching last, ridden clear
- Form 121132
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey W Marston
chased leaders, weakened 4 out
- Form PP/0P1P-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer L Lungo
- Jockey G Berridge
always towards rear
- Form 2F14FF/
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer J R Fanshawe
- Jockey M Foley
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up
Le Duc (FR)
21- Form 13P4-40
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Christian Williams
behind, headway approaching 3 out, one pace from next
- Form 4112/1-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey B Fenton
led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 15345-0
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey J M Maguire
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, led after 3 out, soon ridden headed approaching last, weakened flat
Dictum (GER)
42- Form 214P-3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer Mrs Susan Nock
- Jockey S Stronge
chased leaders, weakened from 2 out
Palarshan (FR)
261- Form 311/020-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer H D Daly
- Jockey A Thornton
behind, riddeen 3 out, headway next, one pace, no impression
- Form P/221-05
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
towards rear, weakened approaching 4 out
- Form 5B2-11
- Age 5
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 129
held up, headway 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
- Form 2F21-10
- Age 8
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 129
mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 1-511U0
- Age 5
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey S Durack
chased leader until weakend approaching 2 out
- Form 45B2-61
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer K A Ryan
- Jockey Ms N Carberry
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, led after 3 out, headed after 2 out, kept on to go 2nd , no chance with winner
Almaravide (GER)
262- Form 40/2130-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer M Bradstock
- Jockey M Batchelor
chased leader, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
In depth
Verdict
A competitive line-up for this novices' hurdle but it is hard to get away from Over The Creek, who gets our vote ahead of Turtle Soup, Dictum and Tik-A-Tai. Having landed a huge gamble at Cheltenham in November, the Martin Pipe-trained selection then followed up in good style at Aintree. Much as he now races off a 14lb-higher mark, he should still be improving and can put up another bold show. Tik-A-Tai races off a ten-pounds higher mark than when scoring at Doncaster in January and it would be no surprise to see him go well over a trip that seems to suit, although Turtle Soup is weighted to get the better of him based on Warwick form of a year ago and any further rain would certainly help his chances. Palarshan has plenty of ability but will probably need the run, but Dictum comes here on the back of a good third behind Rigmarole at Kempton and he looks set to run well. Cloudy Grey is very well-regarded but might need the run, while Eternal Spring was high-class two years ago but has had his injury problems. Le Duc won a Grade 3 event at Aintree in April 2003 but has been a bit in-and-out since over hurdles and fences, while those above Eternal Spring in the weights look vulnerable to something lower down, and chief among these is Over The Creek, who gets our vote in this contest.