Racing
Haydock Place 6 preview | 13th May
13.35 – Pertemps Network Long Distance Handicap Hurdle – 3m
WILLASTON turned in a career-best performance when coming from off the pace to win at Cheltenham last-time-out despite suffering some interference and is only 3Ib higher in this race, so he could go well. BOLD ENDEAVOUR was second behind the former in that race at Cheltenham and shouldn’t be far away either, while PULL AGAIN GREEN is 1Ib lower than when winning at Cheltenham last April and could make an impact now dropped in grade.
Selections: WILLASTON, BOLD ENDEAVOUR, PULL AGAIN GREEN
14.10 – Pertemps Network Handicap – 7f
JAMES MCHENRY opened his account at the fourth time of asking at Ripon on soft ground after a string of placed efforts and bits and pieces of his form are working out well, so he should be thereabouts. FLORIDA won very smoothly at Kempton last-time-out and is the one to beat with plenty more improvement to come on handicap debut.
Selections: JAMES MCHENRY, FLORIDA
14.45 – Pertemps Network Conditions Stakes – 6f
CREATIVE FORCE is a former Group 1 winner who also placed in three more Group 1 events in 2022. He was behind COMMANCHE FALLS at Newmarket on his reappearance but is better off at the weights and might reverse the form. I will also cover with TIBER FLOW who should strip fitter from his return fourth behind the formerly-mentioned pair and has a chance, as does RUN TO FREEDOM, who makes his return after a good second in the Champions Sprint Stakes when last seen.
Selections: CREATIVE FORCE, COMMANCHE FALLS, TIBER FLOW, RUN TO FREEDOM
15.15 – Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle – 1m7f
BYKER ran a hell of a race when a neck second of 21 in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the handicapper has only applied a bit of pressure as a result by raising his mark just four pounds. Brentford Hope has won nicely the last two times but might struggle to dominate this race and the former brings the stronger form into the race. He is the only pick, as it is hard to see him out of the frame.
Selections: BYKER
15.50 – Pertemps Network Spring Trophy Stakes – 6f
ANGEL BLEU won two Group 1 events as a juvenile and while he has not been able to win since, he’s shaped better than the bare result both starts this spring, including in a Group 3 in France last time. He is eased in grade and should have too many natural qualities for this field.
Selections: ANGEL BLEU
16.25 – Pertemps Handicap – 6f
STAR ZINC has yet to win in eight starts but he hasn’t run a bad race in each of them and ran well when sixth of 20 at Doncaster when last spotted. If he’s ready to go, he should be competitive. LIANGEL HOPE won over C&D last year and made a winning return at Brighton last-time-out. He is the one to beat.
Selections: STAR ZINC, LIANGEL HOPE
