Racecards
15:40 Haydock Park
Shirley Leigh Memorial Handicap Chase (Class 3)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £12,500 added
- Form 2161-1P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
chased leaders, every chance 4 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 21-7416
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Flint
held up in touch, led 3 out until stumbled and headed next, weakened after last
- Form 1/341U-8
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up and raced wide, headway 5 out, left in lead 2 out, ran on strongly
- Form 35312-P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer P Beaumont
- Jockey G Berridge
led to 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up after 2 out
- Form P65-841
- Age 11
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey J Halliday
chased leader, led 4 out, headed next, weakened after 2 out
- Form 421214-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer R D E Woodhouse
- Jockey B P Harding
held up in rear, weakend 4 out, pulled up before last
- Form 9-76P55
- Age 8
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey K Renwick
held up in rear, raced wide and headway after 5 out, weakened 4 out
- Form 08307-F
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey Tjade Collier
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
Coach Lane has to be high on the list with the yard going well and conditions ideal but we'll look to POLAR GUNNER to hit the target. Rebel Rhythm has shown little lately but is well in on his old form. Polar Gunner's 8lb rise for his Wetherby success is negated by his conditional rider's claim and this course and distance winner looked as good as ever that day. He's recorded back to back successes in the past and is well enough treated. Coach Lane and Almaydan are both capable of going close but may be a shade high in the weights whilst Beggars Cap's recent improvement was put down to the better ground so it's a concern to see him lining up on soft. Rebel Rhythm hasn't too many miles on the clock and would be of interest if ever recapturing his zest for the game but one with a more obvious, and very real chance, is I Hear A Symphony who should have a good deal more to offer over fences. On this occasion though, he may have to play second fiddle to the gnarled campaigner that is Polar Gunner.
Formwatch
Almaydan 11-1 (11-9) In touch, raced keenly, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Nice Try (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in May.
Coach Lane 9-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Tramantano (11-4) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Oct, 11 ran.
I Hear A Symphony (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Raced in 3rd, ridden, went 2 lengths 2nd when slithered on landing 3 out and not recover, 6th of 9, well behind Buck The Legend (11-11) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Good Company (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) In touch, hampered 5th, weakened after 8th, 8th of 13, 48l behind Bleu Superbe (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Nov.
King Mak 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, hit 4th and 9th, lost place next, weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by First Look (10-13) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Polar Gunner 2-1fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, lead approaching 4 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out, won at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft beating Miss Pross (10-9) by 4l, 8 ran.
Loch Oscaig 5-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, in touch, hit 7th, effort 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 12, 13l behind Coach Lane (11-11) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Apr.
Cantgeton (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, blundered 5th, driven and weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, 23l behind Polar Gunner (9-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Beggars Cap (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on to challenge last, led and driven out flat, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Nov beating Moor Spirit (10-7) by 2l, 7 ran.
Arumun (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 11, 38l behind Petit Robin (11-3) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Rebel Rhythm 9-1 (10-10) Led, ridden and headed 4 out, beaten when fell 2 out in race won by Polar Gunner (9-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 8 ran.