14:40 Haydock

Saturday 26 September 2020

All12:5513:3014:0514:4015:1015:4516:15

Close Brothers Motor Finance Handicap

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 59.61s

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(10)

Count D'Orsay²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 96| CD

4/1

Bounced back to his best encountering soft ground for the first time this year when winning over C&D 21 days ago by ½l from Came From The Dark. Up 5 lb but still firmly in the mix if the rains come.

Form: 1-30901

(6)

Ainsdale³³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 97| D

14/1

Thriving sprinter when last seen on the track 11 months ago, completing his hat-trick in comfortable fashion at Nottingham. Returns now on a career-high mark so needs to hit the ground running.

Form: 232111-

(4)

Came From The Dark²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: E Walker| OR: 95| BF| CD

3/1

Made up into a useful sprinter in 2019, scoring twice impressively over C&D, and back on track after 11 months off when ½l second to Count D'Orsday here last time. 2 lb better off now so good claims.

Form: 7812-02

(2)

Copper Knight^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 95| D

12/1

Very useful sprinter but it's now 12 runs since his last win in 2019 and he was below-par seventh to Count D'orsay here last time. Mark is falling but he still needs to show more.

Form: 247707

(1)

Lord Riddiford⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 90| DWS

14/1

Useful effort to make all in 5f handicap at Chelmsford City back in March but only fair fifth of 12 at Newcastle (5f) only run since. Back from another break now with bit to find.

Form: 270-615

(11)

George Cornelius⁹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Barry McHugh| T: Adrian Nicholls| OR: 87| D

80/1

Fairly useful 5f winner in Ireland but well below that level in two runs this June for Karl Burke. Lots to prove for his new yard now after three-month break.

Form: 14-50

(7)

Militia²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: J Fanning| T: P T Midgley| OR: 85| D

9/1

Completed a quick 5f hat-trick at Musselburgh last month and far from disgraced off 4 lb higher when sixth of 11 to Count D'orsay here last time. Dropped 1 lb now so not ruled out.

Form: 321116

(9)

Mid Winster⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 81| D

5/1

Ex-Irish filly who has hit the ground running for her new yard, getting up late when scoring at Ayr (5f, soft) 9 days ago. Up 5 lb but she can make her presence felt once more.

Form: 086741

(3)

Glory Fighter¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 81| CD

20/1

Dual winner last month, including over C&D, and not disgraced off 4 lb higher mark when seventh of 11 in 5f handicap at Doncaster 17 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 741197

(5)

Fantasy Keeper²²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: Ray Dawson⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 80| D

20/1

Dual winner in 2019 but looked rusty after 9 months off when tenth of 12 in handicap over C&D 22 days ago. Sure to do better now so so not totally dismissed with talented 5 lb claimer up.

Form: 18058-0

(8)

Dark Shot^b⁵^{(ex 4)}

Age: 7| Weight: 8-5| J: Jamie Gormley| T: S Dixon| OR: 76| D

7/1

Right back on song of late and added to his recent Southwell win with comfortable victory at Leicester (5f) only five days ago. Big player turned out quickly under 4 lb penalty.

Form: 900121

Forecasts

Came From The Dark (3/1), Count D'Orsay (4/1), Mid Winster (5/1), Dark Shot (7/1), Militia (9/1), Copper Knight (12/1), Ainsdale (14/1), Lord Riddiford (14/1), Fantasy Keeper (20/1), Glory Fighter (20/1), George Cornelius (80/1)

Marginal preference is for CAME FROM THE DARK who scored twice over C&D last season and signalled he's ready to go in again when runner-up to Cound d'Orsay here last time. Tim Easterby's top weight is 2 lb worse off now but still feared most, especially if the ground eases noticeably. Dark Shot is another to consider under a penalty for his ready Leicester success.