Good Ground Glory at Newton-le-Willows
Thursday's card at Haydock Park serves up six decent contests on what looks to be cracking ground for this time of year. The going description of Good, Good to Firm in places with a GoingStick reading of 7 tells you everything you need to know – this is proper jumping ground that'll suit the speedier types and those who like to get on with the job.
Looking at today's Haydock Park racecard, it's hard not to notice the Dan Skelton battalion have pitched up in force, with Harry Skelton taking four rides on the day. When that duo rock up mob-handed like this, you'd want to be taking notice.
The Feature Event: Handicap Chase Promises Fireworks
The 13:45 Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap Steeplechase stands out as the day's feature, carrying the biggest prize pot at £13,000. Over two miles and three furlongs, this Class 4 contest has attracted a competitive field of six, with the going conditions likely to play right into the hands of a couple of these.
William Cody for Pam Sly catches the eye immediately – he's a course and distance winner, which on ground like this is worth its weight in gold. Paul O'Brien takes the ride on the nine-year-old, and at 118 he's only giving away a pound to Hurricane Bay. The experience factor can't be understated in a race like this.
But it's Ice In The Veins for the Skelton team that has me most interested. This six-year-old is rated 115, but more importantly, he's from a yard that's been in cracking form lately. The Skeltons know how to place their horses, and when they send one to Haydock on ground like this, you sit up and take notice.
Skelton Squad Looking Ominous
Speaking of the Skelton operation, they've got what looks like a banker in the opener. Loriko in the 13:15 maiden hurdle is rated 121 and faces just one opponent in Katarcice. Unless something goes drastically wrong, this should be a procession. The five-year-old has clearly shown enough at home to warrant this rating, and in a two-runner race, you'd be mad not to expect him to oblige.
The ladies get their turn in the spotlight with two mares' races on the card. The 14:15 Mares' Handicap Steeplechase over an extended two miles and seven furlongs is part of the Queen Boudicca series, and with just four runners, it should develop into a proper tactical affair. Another Day Out brings course and distance form to the table, which on this ground could prove decisive.
Marathon Men and Maiden Hopes
The staying test comes in the 15:15 contest over three miles and a furlong – a proper test of stamina that'll sort the wheat from the chaff. Gavin Sheehan has been riding with confidence lately, and his mount Greedy Smith for the O'Neill team could be the answer. The six-year-old is well-handicapped off 99 and should relish the step up in trip.
Don't overlook Braganza Bay either – Sam Twiston-Davies knows his way around Haydock, and this nine-year-old brings course and distance form. At 88, he's getting plenty of weight from the field, and on ground that'll suit his style, he could be the value play of the day.
The card concludes with a National Hunt flat race that's essentially a pointer for future jumping careers. Island Getaway for Warren Greatrex with Sean Bowen aboard looks the most professional of this quintet of four-year-olds.
Ground Conditions: The Great Leveller
These going conditions will definitely favour the handier types today. Good ground with firm patches means we won't see the slog that heavy going produces – instead, expect races to be run at a proper gallop with the emphasis on speed and agility rather than pure grinding stamina.
For the chasers in particular, this surface will reward accurate jumping and forward-going types. The course and distance winners on the card – William Cody, Hurricane Bay, Pep Talking, Another Day Out, and several others – all have that crucial experience of handling Haydock's unique challenges on similar ground.
Tom Cannon on Hurricane Bay brings a different dynamic to the feature chase. The young jockey has been in flying form lately, and his 5lb claim could be the difference in a tight handicap like this.
The Verdict: Skelton Supremacy Expected
If I'm putting my money where my mouth is today, it's hard to look beyond the Skelton team for the banker bet. Loriko in the opener should be odds-on and rightfully so – this looks like stealing money in broad daylight.
For the feature race, I'm leaning towards Ice In The Veins each-way. The Skeltons don't send horses on long journeys for the fun of it, and this one could be better than his rating suggests.
In the marathon hurdle, Greedy Smith appeals as the value bet. The O'Neill team know how to prepare one for a staying test, and at the prices, he represents solid each-way value.
The ground conditions are absolutely crucial today – anyone backing horses that need cut in the ground will be throwing good money after bad. This is a day for the sharper, more athletic types who can handle a sound surface and a proper pace.
Whatever you do, don't ignore the course and distance form today. Haydock has its own particular quirks, and those who've proven they can handle the track on similar ground hold a significant advantage. It should be a cracking afternoon's sport.
