2.10pm Haydock Tips & Betting Preview 08/06/2017

This is a Class 5 handicap over an extended 1m 3f, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This is an open handicap and the vote goes to NORDIC COMBINED. He was outclassed last time out and looked to need the run so he is sure to do better now dropped in grade with the benefit of a recent run under his belt. Ben Robinson claims a valuable 7lbs and that puts him on a nice mark in this. Brinham Rocks looks like the best of the rest now dropped in grade with Silvestre De Sousa on board.

1 BRINHAM ROCKS – Made a pleasing start to his handicapping career with a 2 3/4 length victory over 1m 4f at Wolverhampton last month. He couldn’t cope with a 7lb rise in the weights and finished a comfortably beaten 6th next time out at York in a slightly tougher race than this. He remains on a mark of 69 and he’s dropped back down in grade with Silvestre De Sousa taking over in the saddle. Should do better now and the yard are operating at a 27% strike rate at present.

2 KURAKA – Showed some progression last time out to finish fourth of eight, beaten 6 3/4 lengths in a Class 5 handicap. He’s dropped a pound today and this softer ground may just bring about some improvement having run well on Heavy ground last season. The yard are in fair form of late and any market support would make him of interest with more to come at some stage.

3 NORDIC COMBINED – Won a Class 5 handicap on his final start of last season and the handicapper punished him with a heavy 9lb rise for that success. He wasn’t beaten all that far at York last time out and he should improve for that run although he still looks high enough in the weights and there’s no surprise to see a 7lb claimer on board today. This trip looks right for him and he can improve again today.

4 GOOD TIME AHEAD – More exposed than a few of his rivals in this and he arrives here on the back of a heavy defeat last time out. He finished last of eight beaten a long way and that was disappointing given he had shown some consistent form on the All-Weather over the winter. He drops in grade today which will certainly help and he’s stepped up to the longest trip he’s faced to date. Opposed in this.

5 LEGATO – Handicap debutante today for a shrewd yard. He’s shown some ability in four maiden starts, not least at Beverley in April where he ran on to finish fourth over an extended mile. He’s not exactly screaming out for this trip but it should do no harm and a mark of 66 doesn’t look far off based on what he’s shown so far. He’s another worth close market attention.

6 CRITICAL THINKING – Has run to a consistent level this season following a victory in a Lingfield claimer back in February. He’s been dropped a pound today which looks fair although he still has it all to do off this mark and Finley Marsh claims a valuable 7lbs off his back here. He’s not as likely to progress as some of his opponents and others make slightly more appeal in this based on form.

7 ZAMADANCE – Has been beaten by fair distances this season but the faster ground may have been against him and the return to Good to Soft will certainly help. His last victory came over a mile last August in a nursery at Kempton and he’s not been disgraced in handicaps having given his running on virtually every occasion. More is needed today but he’s down another pound and should be capable off this mark.

8 AMERICAN CRAFTSMAN – Beat the progressive Dyna Might last time out and she went on to score just three days ago. He looks well-treated in this with a 6lb penalty and he’s likely to go up even further in the weights once the handicapper can reassess him. This trip clearly suits and he should be dangerous if he handles this softer ground for a yard that have been in reasonable form of late. Respected.

9 NOBLEMAN – Has a pedigree packed full of stamina so it’s no surprise to see him stepped back up in trip today. He’s been beaten fair distances in maidens and handicaps and he needs to find more off a 2lb lower mark although there was plenty of money around for him earlier in the season and this yard have been in good form of late. Can’t be discounted and it would be no surprise to see him improve today.

10 SILVER GLEAM – Couldn’t quite build upon a good run at Beverley in the middle of May on his last start when stepped up in trip to 1m 6f. He’ll be better suited by this drop in trip and the ground should be fine for him so there are reasons to expect a better showing today. He needs to do more off the same mark he’s been beaten off twice this season and others make more appeal today.

11 COMPANY TRADER – Makes his handicap debut today for Sharon Watt. He’s been beaten 28, 60 and 23 lengths respectively on his last three starts in maiden company and it’s hard to envisage a great deal of improvement today. He’s 2lbs out of the handicap today and whilst Hollie Doyle does claim a useful 3lbs, this may just be too much for him today.