Haydock Racecourse has got the all clear after an inspection which is fantastic news! The going at the track is currently soft, good to soft in places on the hurdles course and soft on the chase course. Adrian Wall has picked out three horses who ought to appreciate the conditions on the day and they combine to form a 69-1 accumulator with William Hill.
For a four runner race this is quite competitive and although Nicky Henderson’s Burrows Edge does love soft, he has a 630-day absence to overcome. With that in mind, the race should be set up perfectly for the Evan Williams runner Coconut Splash. His sole success came over hurdles on heavy ground at Wetherby last year but he was second to subsequent Grade 2 winner Messire Des Obeaux on soft over fences last December. Not unduly punished at Exeter on his return, he should be 100 per cent now.
For a Veterans’ race, this is really laced with quality. Aso, twice a runner-up finisher in the Ryanair is back down in grade but so is Lake View Lad, who will relish these conditions. The 11-year-old was last seen finishing seventh in the Scottish National and although he is top weight for this, he is 5lb lower on his return in a much weaker handicap. He got the better of Santini, Native River and Frodon in a Grade 2 at Aintree this time last year so he could be the class act in the race.
The McCain stable are absolutely flying and Goobinator can make amends for his Bangor fall here. He was backed as if defeat was out of the question after a fantastic fourth in the Cewarewitch on the Flat, but departed three from home when cruising along and he looked certain to play a part in the finish. Proven on soft ground and running from an unchanged mark, he is the one to beat in the finale.
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