Haydock 14:30 5f Handicap 4th September 2010

GOLDEN DESTINY
Blinkers breathed new life into him at Ascot on last outing and obvious claims if progress continues in the headgear. Top jockey booked and any drying ground in his favour. Mark is a touch high but leading fancy.       

ANGLEZARKE
Dropping nicely down the weights now to be a danger in contest such as this after being campaigned in Listed races. Handy 3lbs taken off by strong apprentice and more than capable if best hoof put forward.       

ARCHERS ROAD
Came up short in against his elders between two good efforts against own age group this term. This looks a tough race to try and stamp his authority over.       

REIGNIER
Not set the world alight since breaking maiden duck last May. Hard to see him cut much mustard in event such as this.       
FAVOURITE GIRL
Finally showed the potential she had as a two year old after a disappointing term last year. String of decent handicaps wins but poor last time, albeit drawn on wrong side. Handicapper might be winning for now.       

DESERT PHANTOM
Classy at two but obvious troubles since. Won maiden here in 2008 and solid efforts both times he has been dropped to this trip (badly hampered latest). Improvement left in him so interesting contender.       

PAVERSHOOZ
Almost back down to last winning mark now after fruitless campaign this term. Potential on very best form but struggling at present and may come unstuck again in against these.       

LUCKY NUMBERS
Remains in good heart but has crept up to a bit of a high mark as a result. Trainer/jockey combo produced 5 wins from 10 starts over the last five seasons, so dangerous to rule out. Each way shout.       

CONFESSIONAL
Fair form in own age handicaps this season but much more needed in against his elders for first time. Likely to struggle.       

STRIKE UP THE BAND
Likely to make his usual bold bid from the front and is now entitled to go well off this lowly mark. Losing run stretches back two years now though and others might just be improving beyond him.       

SECRET MILLIONAIRE
Far from disgraced in recent Ascot event when finishing third off just 1lb lower. Reunited with same jockey from that day and every chance of another bold show. Drying ground in his favour.       

COURAGEOUS
Sole maiden win to his name but dropped to a tempting mark now. Last two efforts have shown promise and moved to sprint king Nicholls a month ago. Owners often do well with this type (Evens and Odds, Regal Parade); interesting.       
HAAJES
Continues in tremendous heart of late and another solid effort likely in this. Fourth in hot York sprint latest and off same mark here he can give another brave account.       
PISCEAN
Very much an in and out performer, so hard to catch right. Is on a winnable mark but track unlikely to suit and others far more reliable.       

MEDICI TIME
Held his form well in some muddling affairs after scoring in impressive fashion at Leicester in June. Is one from one at the track and Haydock more likely to suit than the speed courses of Sandown and Goodwood of late. Chances.       
CHEVETON
Won this last year in tremendous fashion off a 7lbs higher mark, so obvious claims on that score. Has the class to win this once again but ground is drying up against him now. Should struggle under faster conditions.       

SOLEMN
Looks to be on a tough mark now and this much more competitive than anything he is used to. Best watched.       

SUMMARY

Tough and wide open. Plenty in with a shout here and top weights Golden Destiny and Anglezarke come here with obvious chances. But in search of a bit of value I’m plumping for two with great potential in Courageous and Desert Phantom. The former is now in the hands of Dandy Nicholls, joining him a month ago after being bought by Dab Hand Racing (the owners behind both Evens and Odds and Regal Parade). Billy Cray takes a useful 5lbs off his back and as a result his mark looks tempting. He has shown plenty of dash on his last two starts and could get a nice lead into this from stablemate Strike Up The Band (drawn two stalls away). At the prices he is worth risking. Similar comments apply to Desert Phantom. A lightly raced individual, he doesn’t seem the easiest to get right. However, both drops back to this 5f trip have resulted in promising efforts and he was running into a place on his latest start at York in June before being violently cut off just as he was being wound up. Trainer and jockey combined to land a Group One in France recently, so it’s of interest they team up once more and, again, he is worth a small risk in a trappy affair.


SELECTIONS

Courageous 0.5pt ew @ 12/1
Desert Phantom 0.5pt ew @ 20/1



I shall actually be there at Haydock tomorrow. So I'm hoping for some great weather and top class racing on show!