chased leaders, mistake 6th, ridden after 4 out, weakened next
held up, effort 4 out, weakened after next
prominent, led 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed run in, stayed on
always behind, struggling from 4th
held up, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to go 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on from last
held up in touch, ridden and weakened from 3 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, mistake 3rd, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, weakened from last
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, pushed along and reminders approaching 5th, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on to lead run in, ran on well
always behind, weakened from 4 out
mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on flat
led to 4th, chased leaders, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
close up, ridden 3 out, weakened next
Another typically competitive Haydock handicap and we will go with Tom Paddington to land the prize at the expense of Claymore and a block entry from the Jonjo O'Neill team. Hughie Morrison's horse has always been held in high regard at home and while he was unquestionably a disappointment in the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury - there was plenty of market confidence in him en route to that race and he will be racing today off a 9lb lower mark. Claymore is a useful type over both hurdles and chase fences and is no stranger to the Merseyside racegoers. He is not the most straight-forward of rides and may possibly be better with softer ground. Spectroscope's Triumph Hurdle victory would make him the best of five entries. He has not quite lived up to the brilliance of that form line and backers will need to forgive his lifeless effort in the mud at Ascot. Paperprophet is unquestionably the dark horse in the field. Nicky Richards would not be sending him here if he did not believe that he had a chance and the handicapper has not really had too much chance to have a look at him. A tricky race but we will give Tom Paddington a chance to redeem himself.
