Racecards
14:20 Haydock Park
Vale Uk Handicap (Class D2) (Class 2)
- 19 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f 120y
- Going: Heavy
Akash (IRE)
24- Form 0-12000
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey K Darley
in touch, ridden over 4f out, weakening when not much room over 3 out
Cruise Director
136- Form 301002
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Trainer W J Musson
- Jockey R Mullen
behind, ridden and headway over 3f out, not clear run just inside final furlong, kept on
- Form 40610-0
- Age 6
- Weight 9-2
behind from halfway
Sunny Glenn
90- Form 000-060
- Age 6
- Weight 9-2
- Trainer Simon Earle
- Jockey P McCabe
started slowly, always towards rear
- Form 010005
- Age 8
- Weight 9-2
- Trainer E J Alston
- Jockey D Allan
towards rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, not clear run 2f out, kept on one pace
- Form 423/40-6
- Age 9
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey L Enstone
behind, ridden over 4f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous
- Form 440460
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer M Blanshard
- Jockey N Callan
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden to go 2nd 2f out, never troubled winner
Dower House
160- Form 654050
- Age 9
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer Andrew Turnell
- Jockey D Mernagh
always towards rear
- Form 10-2006
- Age 4
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer P R Webber
- Jockey Dane O'Neill
dwelt, soon chasing leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out
- Form 31-2351
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer Sir Mark Prescott
- Jockey S Sanders
prominent, led over 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, comfortably
Kings Empire
77- Form 31-44
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer D Carroll
- Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
mid-division, hampered and last place after 2f, soon behind
- Form 300214
- Age 4
- Weight 8-8
chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 402142
- Age 7
- Weight 8-7
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey P Mulrennan
held up, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, edged left 1f out, kept on
- Form 211200
- Age 7
- Weight 8-7
led, headed 6f out, ridden and every chance 3f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 602110
- Age 4
- Weight 8-7
- Trainer Mrs H Dalton
- Jockey A Mullen
dwelt, soon mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace
- Form 534201
- Age 3
- Weight 8-6
prominent, led 6f out, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Triple Jump
35- Form 4-213
- Age 3
- Weight 8-4
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey Willie Supple
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Safirah
47- Form 355
- Age 3
- Weight 8-1
- Trainer M A Jarvis
- Jockey P Robinson
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
In depth
Verdict
The step up to this trip was not a problem for Straw Bear last time and he is fancied to confirm his superiority over Trouble Mountain in spite of his 6lb penalty. Cruise Director and Templet are others for the shortlist and both have sound chances of at least making the frame. The latter is still unexposed at the trip and brings good battling qualities to the table with his challenge. However, he was slightly disappointing last time and could be vulnerable in a finish. Cruise Director ran a blinder when second at York and will be a tough customer to deal with if in the same frame of mind. The ground should not be a problem for him and he is one to monitor carefully in the betting. Nevertheless, Straw Bear makes slightly more appeal, as he is still open to stacks more improvement and, when consideration of Sir Mark Prescott's recent form is taken into account, his claims are to hard to resist this afternoon.