My father always said that Haydock Park on a May evening was one of racing's simple pleasures – the kind of card that reminds you why we fell in love with this game in the first place. Tuesday's offering didn't disappoint, even with the unusual sight of a missing fence courtesy of some earlier damage. One less obstacle per circuit? Well, that just meant one less chance for the faint-hearted to find an excuse!
The Feature Race: Class and Stamina Combined
The £15,000 Class 3 handicap hurdle over three miles was always going to be the evening's centrepiece, and what a field they assembled. Thank You Ma'am, carrying top weight off a mark of 126, looked every inch the class act many expected her to be. Harry Bannister's booking caught the eye – he's not one to take a punt on lost causes, and his confidence in the saddle suggested this mare has been working well at home.
But it was the presence of Sam Twiston-Davies on Ballintubber Boy that really got the form students scribbling. This gelding has been knocking on the door with some solid efforts, and the booking of such a high-profile jockey for what might seem a modest prize suggests connections know something we don't. The 122 rating looks workable if he's improved over the winter break.
David Bass aboard Alien Storm provided another intriguing subplot. Bass has been in cracking form lately, and this horse's 123 rating might just underestimate his current ability. Sometimes the handicapper takes a while to catch up with improvement, and Alien Storm has that progressive look about him that gets the pulse racing.
Maiden Hurdle Mysteries and Future Stars
The opening maiden hurdle was one of those races that always gets me excited – you never know when you're watching a future star take their first steps. With most runners unrated, it becomes a proper puzzle, the kind that separates the shrewd judges from the hopeful punters.
Crackalackin stood out as the only runner with a rating (101), which immediately made him the form pick. But in maidens, ratings only tell half the story. Sometimes it's the unraced newcomer or the lightly-raced sort switching from the Flat who springs the surprise.
Harry Skelton's presence on Edelak was particularly noteworthy. The Skelton team don't often venture north for modest prizes without good reason, and when they do, it usually pays to take notice. This could well be one to follow through the summer months.
Ladies Leading the Way
The mares' handicap hurdle provided one of the most competitive heats of the evening, and what a credit to the fairer sex it was. Ride Like A Girl, with Gavin Sheehan up, looked the percentage call with course and distance form to her name. There's something to be said for horses who know their way around a track – Haydock Park can catch the unwary with its undulations and testing finish.
Callin Baton Rouge presented an interesting alternative, another with course form and Charlie Todd in the saddle. Todd's been riding with real confidence lately, and his 7lb claim could prove crucial in such a tight handicap. The mare's rating of 99 looks fair rather than generous, but sometimes fair is enough when everything falls right.
The real eye-catcher for me was Miracles Do Happen. What a name for a 99-rated mare taking on this field! Stan Sheppard's booking suggested the connections fancy their chances, and sometimes you have to trust in the name as much as the form.
Ones to Follow
If I had to pick out three horses from the evening's action to follow through the summer, they'd be a varied bunch. First up is Ballintubber Boy from that feature race – any horse good enough to attract Sam Twiston-Davies for a midweek Haydock card is worth keeping tabs on. He looks the type who could progress through the grades if connections are patient.
From the hunters' chase, On Lovers Walk caught my attention. Miss Meisha Micklewright in the saddle and a rating of 110 suggests this is a horse with ability. The amateur ranks often produce surprises, and horses who can win in that sphere sometimes surprise when they step back into professional company.
Finally, keep an eye on Ice Jet from the penultimate race. Harry Skelton's booking for what looked a modest prize raised eyebrows, and his rating of 92 could prove lenient if he's been working well. The Skeltons have a knack for improving horses, and this could be another to benefit from their expertise.
Looking Ahead
Tuesday's card at Haydock reminded us why evening racing holds such appeal. The atmosphere might be more relaxed than a Saturday afternoon, but the quality remains high and the opportunities for shrewd judges are plentiful. Several of tonight's runners will surely pop up at summer meetings, possibly with their ratings adjusted and their reputations enhanced.
The missing fence added an unusual twist to proceedings, but if anything, it seemed to encourage more positive riding. Sometimes racing throws up these little quirks that remind us why we love the unpredictability of the sport. Here's to many more evenings like this one – proper racing for proper racing folk, with enough quality to keep us all interested and enough uncertainty to keep us all honest.
