2.55pm Haydock Tips & Betting Preview 10/06/2017

David O’Meara has two potential chances in the race, but his main hope looks to be the Daivd Armstrong owned ECCLESTON, who will be looking to reverse form with Snap Shots and take a fifth career victory. His last win came back in August 2015 at Thirsk in a big field affair and he’s now three pound lower than that mark, posting several efforts since in competitive affairs that suggest he’s ready to take his chance. He was last seen three days ago when fourth at Ripon and three lengths behind Snap Shots, but he ran a good race when coming home strongly after having a blocked passage at a crucial stage. This soft ground will see him in his element and Danny Tudhope retaining the ride is promising, with all signs pointing to a big run from the six year old son of Acclamation. He’ll be coming home with a flourish and with all factors in his favour, he’s taken to find the gaps and blast to victory.

Although this is a very quick turn around, that hasn’t stopped Snap Shots in the past and the five year old will be looking exploit his good course record as he bids for a fifth career victory. The son of Kodiac had been disappointing since two good efforts at Ripon, with two poor runs at York where he was unable to land a blow. He returned to his best though on Wednesday when headed towards the finish at Ripon and he remains on the same mark for this run three days later. He’s now a pound lower than his last winning mark and the softer ground is no issue as he has won on it in the past, with the Tony Coyle yard having two winners in the past two weeks, so they’re hitting form at the right time. Barry McMugh who is also is in great form takes the ride and a big effort looks on the cards with the time between races of no concern, as he won off a four day lay off in the past. Whether he can keep Eccleston at bay though is the main question, as he had a blocked passage in the Ripon race last time out and if the gaps open for him, he will struggle to keep him behind.

Although he’s never won off a mark this high, the authority with which Major Pusey won his latest start suggests that if he’s in the same form again, he will be a lively danger despite that fact. Soundly out of form for most of his runs since winning at Newmarket in June 2016, he capitalised on his lowly mark when streaking away to win a Windsor handicap comfortably on his latest start, making all in good style under today’s rider Fergus Sweeney. As a result he’s up six pounds in the handicap, but it only brings him one pound above his highest winning mark so he couldn’t be discounted with any confidence despite the rise in class. Conditions are to suit and he’s won here in the past, so if he rocks up in the same form again, he’s likely to go very close from stall one.

Although the softer ground is of obvious concern, Holiday Magic has been in good form of late and another big run looks to be on the cards with Ryan Moore taking the ride. The six year old returned to the turf for his latest two runs where he has finished sixth on both occasions in big fields, the latest of those at Epsom where he kept on strongly after perhaps being left too much to do that day. He remains on the same mark and if given a more positive ride this time he should be on the premises for Tim Easterby, though there is the niggle about the ground as he’d definitely prefer it better. If managing to handle it though he’s certainly an each way contender as he’s no stranger to winning, but there would have to be a suspicion he’ll find at least one too good as he’s yet to win on turf.

More is certainly needed if he’s to be threatening the market principles, but Dandyleekie is on an attractive mark and cannot be underestimated despite the very quick turn around. His last win came over course and distance off this mark, finishing third off it the last twice, though he was never able to challenge on either of those occasions for David O’Meara. Shelley Birkett takes the ride and three pounds off his back which will be a huge help this time around and the softer ground will see him in his element, so a big run wouldn’t be of any surprise. The yard continue in good form and if this three day break between races doesn’t effect him, he’s entitled to be on the premises.

A winner five starts ago for David Barron, Handsome Dude posted his best effort since then last time out and although he’s a pound higher this time around, he’s placed off much higher marks in the past and also won off this one. The five year old ran best of the stands’ side group when second to Naggers at Thirsk twenty-one days ago, clear of the third and running with distinct promise considering he was five lengths clear of anyone else on the stands’ side rail. He gets similar conditions today and this trip is his optimum, with David Probert taking over the ride which boosts his chances. If running to the same level again he’d have to be considered a big player as he’s won off this mark in the past, so he has to be respected.