Good Ground Sets Up Cracking Card at Newton-le-Willows
Wednesday's seven-race card at Haydock Park might not have the glitz of a Saturday spectacular, but don't let that fool you - there's proper racing to be had on Merseyside. The going is sitting nicely on good, good to soft in places, which should suit the speed merchants and stamina types in equal measure. With that GoingStick reading of 6, we're looking at ideal National Hunt conditions - not too testing, but with enough give to reward a good jumper.
The feature race on paper is the opening marathon hurdle over three miles and a furlong, but I've got my eye firmly fixed on that novice chase at 14:45. Only four runners, but what a quartet they are. Sometimes quality trumps quantity, and this could be the race of the day.
Dangerous Touch Looks the Real McCoy
In the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Novices' Handicap Steeplechase, Dangerous Touch for Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen looks like he means business. Rated 109, he's got 4lb on his nearest rival and the form to back it up. Murphy's horses have been flying lately, and Bowen knows his way around this track like the back of his hand.
The danger comes from Ballynaheer, who's a course winner and brings that invaluable experience. At 105, he's no mug, and Tom Bellamy will know exactly where to position him for maximum impact. Course form is gold dust in this game, and you ignore it at your peril.
Datsalrightcharlie for Jamie Snowden is another course winner, and at 102 he's getting a handy 7lb from the top weight. Gavin Sheehan aboard is a positive, and Snowden's string are in cracking form. This could be the value play of the race.
Marathon Hurdle Throws Up Intriguing Puzzle
The opener over three miles and a furlong is a proper test of stamina, and Another Day Out looks to hold all the aces. Rated 95 and a course winner, he's got the form and the know-how. Sean Bowen takes the ride again, and Martin Keighley will have him spot on for this.
But here's where it gets interesting - Castanea Breeze for Lucy Wadham brings serious flat form to the table, and Tom Cannon is a shrewd booking. At 94, she's only 1lb inferior on the ratings, but that flat speed could be lethal if the pace collapses in the closing stages.
Don't sleep on Happy Returns either. Yes, he's a 9-year-old rated 84, but he's a distance winner and Neil Mulholland knows how to place his horses. At these odds, he could outrun his rating by a country mile.
Mares' Maiden Offers Future Stars
The mares' maiden hurdle at 15:15 is one of those races where you're looking for future stars rather than immediate returns. Flying Pimpernel for Jamie Snowden and Gavin Sheehan catches the eye - any daughter of Flemensfirth with Snowden's name attached deserves respect.
Kayla's Friend for the Murphy-Bowen combination is another to note. They don't run many no-hopers, and if she's ready to strike, she'll take some stopping. Kittys Glance brings Alan King's expertise to the table with Tom Bellamy up, and that's a combination that's been firing on all cylinders lately.
Late Card Value Hunters
In the 16:15 handicap hurdle, Jaffa Cake for Ben Pauling looks overpriced. Rated 100 and in good form, he handles this ground and distance combination well. Western Harmony is another who could outrun his odds - Tom Lacey's horses have been running with credit, and this trip should suit down to the ground.
The closing bumper is a lottery, as they always are, but Merry Wood for Murphy and Bowen has to be respected. When this combination target a race, they usually have good reason. St Marys Wantage brings Nicky Henderson's magic touch with James Bowen aboard - that's pedigree you can't buy.
Tom's Verdict: Quality Over Quantity
Wednesday's Haydock Park racecard might not be the biggest, but it's got substance where it matters. The good ground will suit the majority, and we should see some proper jumping and galloping.
Best Bet: Dangerous Touch in the 14:45 novice chase - class will tell
Each-Way Value: Datsalrightcharlie in the same race - course winner getting weight
Outsider Alert: Western Harmony in the 16:15 - Lacey's horses running well and this trip suits
Remember, it's not about backing every favorite - it's about finding the right horse at the right price on the right day. Wednesday at Haydock could provide all three. Sláinte!
