Racecards
15:25 Haydock Park
Vc Casino.com Handicap Chase (Class 3)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £12,500 added
- Form 4P2-531
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey F King
tracked leader, led approaching 10th, clear approaching 2 out, stayed on well
- Form 1540-16
- Age 11
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer J A B Old
- Jockey J M Maguire
tracked leaders, chased winner after 4 out, no impression from 2 out
- Form 1F25-32
- Age 11
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer S E H Sherwood
- Jockey A Bond
led until approaching 10th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
- Form F14-593
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey A Dobbin
in touch, not fluent 4th, mistake 8th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
- Form 12-F251
- Age 8
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer Mrs K Walton
- Jockey R McGrath
held up, headway approaching 9th, went 3rd after 4 out, jumped left next when weakening
In depth
Verdict
Roman Ark gets the confident vote here with Il'athou and Jimmy Bond rating the main dangers. The selection won with plenty in hand last time out when beating Haggle Twins and although rising in the weights he looks a progressive type and he is taken to win again. I'Lathou rates the main danger on his latest second behind Wain Mountain but that form has since been let down and he is passed over on that basis. Jimmy Bond won well last time when beating The Nomad but he looks vulnerable under his penalty. Of the remainder Nice Try is from a yard in form and is worth a cautionary look in the market but for the winner we return to Roman Ark.
Formwatch
Roman Ark 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 8th, ridden clear from 3 out, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating Haggle Twins (11-4) by 11l, 6 ran.
Wain Mountain 8-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden after 11th, weakened approaching 5 out, 6th of 14, 27l behind Nadover (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Il'athou (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Wain Mountain (11-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Nice Try (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-0) In touch, close order 11th, ridden and mistake 12th, one pace flat, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Wain Mountain (11-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Jimmy Bond 5-2fav (10-11) Held up, headway after 11th, mistake and hampered 4 out, ridden after 3 out, led last, stayed on, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating The Nomad (10-8) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Some Timbering (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Pushed along before 6th, always behind, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Nadover (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec, 14 ran.