1.50pm Haydock Tips & Betting Preview 10/08/2017

This is a Class 5 handicap raced over 1m 2f. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This race really won’t take much winning and PUNKAWALLAH can come out on top for his connections. He’s only been raised 2lbs in the weights for a good victory last time out and, whilst he races on different ground today, he should be seen to good effect again. Bishop Of Bling can give him most to think about on ground that will suit with Paul Hanagan booked to ride.

1 INDIAN CHIEF – Took advantage of a falling handicap mark at Beverley just over a week ago, scoring by 1 1/2 lengths in a Class 6 handicap. He was narrowly beaten next time out and races with a 6lb penalty today off what remains a fair mark. He shouldn’t be far away in this current good vein of form and Daniel Tudhope gets back in the saddle. Respected.

2 POLAR FOREST – Richard Guest’s runner also carries a penalty today following a 3/4 length victory in a Class 6 handicap last time out. This looks tougher than his last assignment, but he should have no problem with the ground and an effective mark of 72 is by no means beyond him. More will be required today though and there could be some value in opposing him.

3 STRUMMER – The handicapper has raised him 4lbs following a good second last time out to the useful Snookered. That’s fair form for this level and he did place in a 14 runner event previous to that so he’s in good form. That said, a 4lb rise looks rather harsh from the handicapper and Kevin Ryan’s runner has only won once from 22 starts which came off a mark of 57.

4 BISHOP OF BLING – Lightly raced four-year-old making his ninth start today and his fourth for Chris Wall. He’s been brought along slowly by his trainer and he showed clear progression last time out to finish fourth of nine at Chepstow in Soft ground. That was a weaker event than today’s contest, although he showed his liking for cut in the ground that day and a mark of 66 is certainly workable. Paul Hanagan is a positive booking and he could be in for a big run today for a yard operating at a 19% strike rate at present.

5 ANTON CHIGURH – Hasn’t shown much form for Nikki Evans since arriving at the yard back in May. He’s been dropped 4lbs following a 17 1/2 length defeat last time out and this is certainly weaker than his last assignment at Epsom. He’s falling to a fair mark and Phillip Makin is a positive booking so any support in the betting would be significant. However, he’s without a win from five attempts on Soft ground which is a concern.

6 DREAM FREE – Another lightly raced sort who improved for the application of cheekpieces last time out to finish third of nine in a Class 5 handicap at Doncaster. He remains on a mark of 62 which looks fair and he has been competitive in this grade so he shouldn’t be far away today having shown some liking for Good to Soft. The cheekpieces remain on and he has to enter calculations today.

7 PUNKAWALLAH – Has been raised 2lbs in the weights following a head success at Haydock back in July. The first time cheekpieces clearly had the desired effect that day having run on late and he remains on a fair mark today with a three-year-old allowance aiding his chances. The ground is completely different today though which is a concern but he’s well handicapped and he could take all the beating.

8 SHAMBRA – Roger Fell’s filly bumped into a useful sort last time out at Catterick when beaten 5 1/4 lengths and he has been dropped a useful pound by the handicapper. He should be able to get in contention today with Ben Curtis a positive booking, although he’s yet another runner facing completely different ground. The market should guide best.

9 PADDY’S ROCK – Not the easiest sort to win with but he did manage to get his head in front earlier last month by a nose. He’s been well beaten since off a 2lb higher mark and he’s dropped back to a mark of 55 today which looks fair. He should struggle against a few better weighted rivals today and he’s opposed for that reason but should be fine on this ground.

10 DAILY TRADER – Notched up a double on the All Weather earlier this season and he needs to do more to achieve his first win on turf. He wasn’t beaten far on Soft ground at Chepstow back in June which bodes well for today and he races off a 4lb lower mark than when he scored at Newcastle in March. One of the likelier winners of this with his three-year-old allowance a massive positive.