TimeformBlog

[b]Boogie Shoes[/b] is presumably not the easiest to train, and spoilt a progressive career curve when bombing out twice in June. Bounced back after a break when third at Ascot last time, though, and stays this far. [b]Madam Macie[/b] benefited a from return to front-running tactics when winning at Carlisle and Hamilton in June but has to bounce back from 2 below-par runs since, shaping amiss most recently. [b]Silvery Moon[/b] is a consistent sort who made it 2 wins from his last 4 starts returned to 1¼m at Doncaster early last month. Trip too far next time and unlikely to be far away despite career-high mark. [b]Proud Chieftain[/b] improved plenty in handicaps in 2011, scoring 3 times, and added to tally at Newmarket last month. Ran as well as could have been expected in face...

[b]We look to the evening meetings at Haydock and Newmarket for today's SmartPlays...[/b] In the six-furlong nursery at Haydock, scheduled for 18:55, we have a potential handicap blot that may come with some risks attached, but those are more than allowed for at current odds. Until yesterday, you might have had doubts over the value of Tussie Mussie's win in a Southwell maiden last time, herself and the seemingly much-improved Relight My Fire pulling a long way clear of the rest. The runner-up did belatedly confirm that improvement (again on fibresand) when finishing second in another maiden on Thursday, so an initial BHA mark of 65 can be said to be generous to Tussie Mussie. The doubt comes from the fact that she's yet to show anything like that level on turf, but when you consider...

[b]Timeform bring you a runner-by-runner guide to Haydock's class 3 handicap run over a mile...[/b] [b]Compton[/b] won 6f Windsor maiden on debut and has been bordering on useful since, finishing a sound fourth to Fast Or Free in Britannia on return. Flopped in heavy going last time and worth another chance. [b]Van Der Art's[/b] profile had a progressive look to it, finishing in frame in handicaps first 3 starts this term. However, blotted copybook when virtually refusing to race at Ascot last time. [b]Touch Gold[/b] made all when breaking his duck in 1m maiden at Newmarket and made every post a winning one again when decisively landing a 9f Yarmouth handicap since. 10 lb higher now but remains of interest. [b]Satanic Beat[/b] gained reward for some solid efforts when bagging...

[b]Rakaan[/b] improved when adding to tally at Meydan in February 2011. Probably needed the run on last month's return at Chester after a year off, and this will reveal more, though rain would be against him. [b]Don't Call Me[/b] signed off 2011 with success in 1m Ayr handicap on soft ground, and easily best effort this season when third in Hunt Cup at Ascot last time. Stable coming to the boil and must be of interest. [b]Wannabe King[/b] was successful off a 7 lb higher mark at Sandown last term and shaped well on debut for new yard in a 1¼m minor event at Ripon in April. Headgear removed following a lesser effort the following month. [b]Lord Aeryn[/b] has produced plenty of solid efforts in defeat having been hit hard by the assessor for his success at Doncaster in April 2011....

[b]Eye of the Tiger[/b] was a smart performer when with Andre Fabre/Jens Hirschberger, winning a Group 2 at Cologne for latter in 2010. No show either start for this yard and only of interest if strong in betting. [b]Tmaam[/b] relished stiffer stamina test when winning 11.7f Bath maiden last September and good effort when second to Anatolian on handicap debut later that month. Not seen since, but remains with potential. [b]Purification[/b] was off 10 months prior to reappearance and showed benefit of that spin when good third to Ramona Chase at Windsor last month. Blinkers tried now and one for the shortlist with conditions fine. [b]Number Theory[/b] returned an improved performer with 2 runs here, third in strong handicap on return before winning over this C&D by 5 lengths last...

[b]Stopped Out[/b] was twice a winner in this sphere last season, and runner-up on all 4 completed starts over fences this time around (unseated last time). Career-high mark makes things tough back over timber. [b]Star In Flight[/b] is a progressive front-running novice who would have won last 3 starts at Catterick but for unseating on second of those. More on his plate now handicapping but remains open to plenty of improvement. [b]Timesawastin[/b] has his share of quirks (ran out penultimate start), but clearly talented, and ran best race when runner-up to Big Easy in Bangor handicap last time. Still looks fairly treated after 6 lb rise. [b]Trustan Times[/b] created good impression when first/second in above-average novices at Wetherby in 2010/11. Has made mistakes over fences...

With a potential prize of over £500,000 on offer for finding the winner of all six Scoop 6 races on Saturday, here's a suggested permutation... [u]Haydock 13:55 [/u] A strong pace is to be expected in the first leg with several front-runners in the line up so, with that in mind, Eyre Square and Gurtacrue are the ones to have on side. Eyre Square has developed as both a hurdler and chaser in the last few seasons and arrives on the back of another career-best, while point/bumper winner Gurtacrue did well over inadequate trips as a novice last season and made an encouraging chase debut in a maiden at Chepstow last month. [i]Selections: 6, 7[/i] [u]Haydock 14:30 [/u] The betfair.com/paulnicholls "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle is always a very competitive race and likely to prove...

[b]Remember Now[/b] (12:50) can get us off to a good start this afternoon, looking Bet of the Day material in the opening handicap hurdle at Haydock. Remember Now is a half-brother to Binocular so it isn't ureasonable to anticipate that this Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old may yet progress into performer in time, and he went some way towards demonstrating his potential last term, impressively landing handicaps at both Stratford and Ayr. He was then sent off the well-backed (and tongue tied) favourite for the Swinton Hurdle over course and distance in April but experienced a breathing problem and finished last of the twenty two runners. Champion Jockey Tony McCoy continues the partnership on Remember Now's return this afternoon and, with the handicapper having dropped him 2 lb for ...

Our first selection takes us to Nottingham, where the well-treated [b]Igoyougo[/b] (13:30) can kick-start the afternoon by taking the five- furlong handicap. His last two wins have both come off marks higher than today's and, although he has been largely disappointing this season, his second at Redcar last time was a good effort and one which suggested that he ought to be scoring sooner rather than later. Trainer Noel Wilson has saddled just the one runner at the track this year, which resulted in a win, and Igoyougo looks to have every chance of adding to that tally. The 15:25 at Haydock is where we find our second selection, namely [b]Perpetually[/b], who looks to have been found a good opportunity to add to his hurdling debut win at Huntingdon. He was a fair performer on the flat...