Haydock Park are optimistic that today's card will pass the “precautionary” inspection planned for 7am. In the Novices' Chase the handicapper has left Morning Royalty (12.50) on the same mark as when runner up at Carlisle last time and a repeat of that effort might be good enough in today's company. Throthethatch will appreciate going left-handed after a poor effort at Musselburgh last time and Special Wells is better than he showed at Wetherby on his most recent start for Sue Smith.
Owner Trevor Hemmings' likes to have winners at his local tracks and Vintage Clouds (1.25) can follow up his recent course win under a penalty. The selection is one of three previous winners in the field but a bigger danger to the Sue Smith runner might be the unraced, well-bred Sarazan Bridge and a market move would be worth noting.
The Last Fling Chase is a real stamina test and the 4-year-old Cyclop has been raised 17lbs since winning at Warwick earlier in the month and this step up in grade might just find him out. The vote goes to Rigadin De Beauchene (2.00) who has won over C&D from a 4lbs lower mark in the past and will take some passing if on a going day. Trainer Venetia Williams had a winner at Leicester earlier in the week and the 10-year-old gets on well with Robbie Dunne.
In the last I like the look of Seven Devils (3.35) making his handicap debut for Lucinda Russell; the selection seemed to show improved from when third at Newcastle last rime and these mini-fences should suit this 5-y-old who finished runner up in an Irish p-t-p earlier in the year.
At Taunton Noel Fehily is reunited with Liberty One for the first time since finishing fourth to Ned Stark at Newbury last November from an 8lbs higher mark. If the market speaks in his favour he might be worth an interest but preference is for top-weight Wild Rover (2.20) who ran well at Newbury last time off this mark over timber and is taken to make a winning chase debut.
The handicapper suggests that Modus is a 7lb superior animal to Board Of Trade (1.45) who receives 10lbs in a cracking Novices' Hurdle and the latter gets the vote for Alan King. A dual bumper winner the selection looked to be going best at Newbury last month but found little and this slight drop back in trip might suit.
Paul Nicholls had a disappointing Xmas but he had a juvenile run well at Newbury yesterday in the opener and dual winner Modus is much respected; indeed he looks just the type for a race such as the big handicap hurdle at Newbury in February.
There is a listed Mares' Novices' Hurdle and Willie Mullins brings the unbeaten Myska (2.50) over from Ireland having won a Bumper at Clonmel and a Thurles maiden Hurdle in the manner of a very exciting mare. Ruby Walsh takes the ride and she looks another hugely talented prospect.
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