14:00 Haydock
A competitive race that will test the stamina of many. Ami Debois ran a cracker to finish third in the Welsh Grand National Trial at Chepstow earlier this month, with the winner Ramses De Teillee going on to finish second in the National itself just two days ago. A prior winner at the course, it would be no surprise to see another big run.
Back To The Thatch was just a length behind Ami Desbois in the aforementioned National Trial but he is re-united with Champion Jockey Richard Johnson who was in the saddle for both of the six-year-olds prior career wins and has an excellent strike rate when riding for Henry Daly, with twenty wins from forty-three rides and a level stakes profit of +£37.55 in 2018. This strike rate cannot be ignored and the extra distance should bring about improvement so he is given the nod today.
With three wins and two seconds from eight runs over fences since switching to Dr Newland, a final mention goes to West Of The Edge who is a consistent runner who will have no stamina worries having won over similar trips and even further. At a likely bigger price, he is one who will be staying on when others have given up and is not without a chance.
Back To The Thatch (WIN) – NAP
12:20 Haydock
On first look it may be surprising to see our selection come from the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard. It is fair to say that his runner Jabulani struggled in Grade 3 company towards the back end of last season and has struggled since going over larger obstacles so far this season. That said, he last tasted victory in a Class 3 hurdle race in soft ground off a mark of 127 so looks extremely well-treated now returning to a Class 4 hurdle race off a mark of 115. Add to this the fact that his trainer has a 28% winning strike rate over hurdles in the last three years at the course and I am hoping we can begin the Haydock card with a winner.
Three Star General is an interesting runner with Bryony Frost taking over in the saddle. The five-year-old has only managed one victory from thirteen but has made the frame in almost 50% of career runs and drops back in trip having placed over three miles last time out. He has come close in soft ground and is another eased in the weights so looks the main danger.
Jabulani (WIN)
Haydock:
12:20 – Jabulani (WIN)
12:55 – Scorpion Sid (WIN)
13:25 – Not Normal (WIN)
14:00 – Back To The Thatch (WIN)
14:30 – Too Many Chiefs (WIN)
15:05 – Ecu De La Noverie (WIN)
15:35 – Some Detail (WIN)
Lingfield:
11:30 – Isaan Queen (WIN)
12:00 – Merhoob (WIN)
12:30 – Soaring Spirits (WIN)
13:05 – Astrospeed (WIN)
13:35 – Beauty Salon (WIN)
14;10 – Hellfire (E/W)
14:40 – Fearsome (WIN)
15:15 – Pivotal Flame (WIN)
Taunton:
12:45 – Mantovani (WIN)
13:15 – Birds Of Prey (WIN)
13:50 – Night Of Sin (E/W)
14:20 – Percy Street (WIN)
14:55 – Posh Trish (WIN)
15:25 – Broughtons Rhythm (WIN)
15:55 – Misty Bloom (E/W)
