Racecards
17:25 Haydock Park
Vale Uk Handicap (Class 4)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 1m 30y
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- £8,500 added
- Form 230207
- Age 6
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer G R Oldroyd
- Jockey P McDonald
held up behind, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on strongly inside final furlong, led post
- Form 644603
- Age 7
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton
- Jockey S Carson
chased leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 121412
- Age 5
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey David Probert
tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led 1f out, kept on, headed post
- Form 1/10439
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey Michael Hills
chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 626251
- Age 5
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 74
mid-division and outside, headway over 2f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, no extra final furlong
- Form 744249
- Age 9
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer R M Whitaker
- Jockey Dean McKeown
led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on
- Form 4407-85
- Age 6
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey D Allan
slowly into stride and behind, driven over 2f out, no impression until stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
- Form 457433
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 76
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place
- Form 605006
- Age 6
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer R A Farrant
- Jockey Dane O'Neill
chased leaders over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 558756
- Age 3
- Weight 8-8
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer K A Ryan
- Jockey P Mulrennan
towards rear, effort when not clear over 1f out, switched outside and stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
- Form 370538
- Age 9
- Weight 8-8
- Official Rating 64
- Trainer E J Alston
- Jockey J P Spencer
slowly into stride, always towards rear
- Form 02-6105
- Age 6
- Weight 8-8
- Official Rating 63
- Trainer E J Alston
- Jockey F Norton
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, never on terms
- Form 562443
- Age 5
- Weight 8-8
- Official Rating 63
- Trainer Mrs G S Rees
- Jockey Graham Gibbons
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, no impression final furlong
Shindy (FR)
15- Form 3-53319
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer J A R Toller
- Jockey Kirsty Milczarek
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
Phluke, Isphahan and Sotik Star are the trio we like here and the vote is given to ISPHAHAN. The selection has been a model of consistency this season and he lost no caste in defeat when chasing home Fervent Prince at Sandown last time. He has his favoured ground today and he can resume winning ways. Phluke chased home Opus Maximus last time, so if he goes well in the previous race then it will give the form a big boost. Sotik Star scored last time out, but that was his first success since 2006 so his overall form profile is far from convincing. Harvest Warrior has got course and dsitance winning form but he is best on a soft surface, and we will side with Isphahan to win again.
Formwatch
Just Bond (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Steadied start, pulled hard in rear, ridden 3f out, kept on approaching final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 14, 8l behind Storm Sir (8-8) at Great Leighs 1m hcap (3) pol.
Phluke 25-1 (9-5) Tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 15, 4l behind Opus Maximus (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m hcap (4) gd.
Isphahan 13-2 (9-2) In touch, chased leader 2f out, led over 1f out, hard ridden and headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Fervent Prince (9-8) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Benfleet Boy 10-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, led over 6f out to over 5f out, stayed prominent, weakening when slightly hampered inside final 2f, soon behind, 9th of 12, 9l behind Gallego (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f hcap (4) gd.
Sotik Star (IRE) 17-2 (9-9) Held up and keen, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on well to lead on line, won at Bath 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug beating Magroom (9-5) by a shd, 12 ran.
Vicious Warrior 11-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened quickly, eased final furlong, 9th of 11, 18l behind Redesignation (9-4) at Sandown 1m 2f hcap (3) sft.
Harvest Warrior 14-1 (9-7) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed and no extra final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind She's Our Lass (9-6) at Beverley 1m 2f hcap (4) hvy.
Resounding Glory (USA) 17-2 (9-2) Held up, headway 3f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 11, 5l behind She's Our Lass (9-6) at Beverley 1m 2f hcap (4) hvy.
Full Victory (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Held up, driven along over 2f out, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 9, 6l behind Red Somerset (9-9) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug.
Thunderstruck 14-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, was held up towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 17l behind Shaloo Diamond (9-0) at Beverley 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs.
Champain Sands (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Held up, effort over 3f, no impression, 8th of 12, 11l behind Jonny Lesters Hair (8-13) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Eternal Legacy (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Chased leader, kept on from over 1f out, 5th of 12, 5l behind Keys of Cyprus (9-3) at Ayr 7f hcap (5) hvy.
Pitbull 7-2 (8-10) Tracked leaders, challenged 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Tanforan (8-5) at Haydock 1m app hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Shindy (FR) 8-1 (8-6) Chased leader, every chance when badly hampered inside final furlong, soon eased, not recover, 9th of 10, 11l behind Myanmar (8-9) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (4) sft.