14:20 Haydock

Saturday 28 May 2022

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:40

Betfred Double Delight Handicap

Off time: 14:23 | Winning time: 2m 31.43s

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Selected odds by:

(9)

Volcanic Sky⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: K Stott| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 107| D

22/1

Smart performer who ended last season with success from 7 lb lower mark at Newmarket (12f) in August. Plenty of creditable efforts in Meydan earlier this year, midfield in a Group 2 contest (15.9f) in March. Not discounted back on these shores.

Form: 01-3396

(10)

Universal Order²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: D M Simcock| OR: 102| D

28/1

Low-mileage 6-y-o who added listed success to his tally at Newmarket (12f) in 2020. However, missed the whole of last year and understandably looked in need of belated return at Ascot (12f) at the start of the month. This ought to reveal more.

Form: 16134/5

(3)

Rock Eagle⁴²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: R M Beckett| OR: 101| D

12/1

Useful and consistent gelding who acquitted himself with credit when last seen on AW early last year, runner-up in valuable conditions' event over 2m final start. Best part of a 14 month absence to overcome here so interesting to see what the market makes of him.

Form: 351/322-

(4)

Zabeel Champion¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 101| C| D

40/1

Progressive staying handicapper on the level last term and proved willing when doubling hurdles tally for this yard here (15.6f) in April. Never figured back on the Flat at York 17 days ago but nudged back down 2 lb.

Form: 11393-9

(13)

Kelly's Dino^p⁷²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 100| CD

50/1

Landed Old Newton Cup over C&D back in 2019 but absent since running below par at Newmarket (12f) the following year. Makes belated return with yard in good order so he requires a precautionary market check.

Form: 510828/

(12)

Reshoun²²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 97| C| D

66/1

Won the Ascot Stakes (20f) second time up last season and not disgraced when close-up fourth of 6 on return in Wolverhampton handicap (16.5f) in April. Never figured in Chester Cup latest and whilst his mark is easing this trip may be on the short side.

Form: 1078-40

(7)

Mahrajaan²³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 96| BF| D

2/1

Impressive as he completed quick-fire hat-trick on handicap debut at Hamilton (12f) in August and ran well from 10 lb higher mark/in much deeper company when third at York (13.8f) in October. Remains low-mileage and likely more to come this term. Big player.

Form: 31113-

(5)

Contact²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 90| D

10/3

Likeable type who built on his promising reappearance run when successful at Newmarket (12f) in April, going on some way out and winning in good style. Has to be worth a look from 5 lb higher mark with possibility of more to come.

Form: 1544-21

(8)

Scarlet Dragon^h²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 8-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 90| D

14/1

Winless since his 2020 Duke of Edinburgh success, well held back on the Flat at Newmarket last month having refused to race over hurdles in October. Risky.

Form: 35660-6

(6)

HMS President^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: David Probert| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 88

10/1

Winner at Windsor (10f) 12 months ago and went close on numerous occasions from higher marks thereafter. Arrives having run respectably when fourth in big-field Ascot handicap (12f) 3 weeks ago and he's a live each-way player.

Form: 7260-94

(11)

Forza Orta¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: David Egan| T: K A Ryan| OR: 86

11/4

Improving 4-y-o who doubled his tally at Hamilton (13f) at the start of the month and stepped up again when runner-up at York (11.8f) 17 days ago, beaten only by a totally unexposed one. Should give another good account.

Form: 213-312

Non-Runners

(1)

Mythical²²⁴

Weight: 9-1| Age: 5

T: S Whitaker J: Phil Dennis

(2)

State Of Bliss²⁸

Weight: 8-10| Age: 4

T: C & M Johnston J: Nicola Currie

Forecasts

Mahrajaan (2/1), Forza Orta (11/4), Contact (10/3), HMS President (10/1), State Of Bliss (10/1), Rock Eagle (12/1), Scarlet Dragon (14/1), Volcanic Sky (22/1), Mythical (25/1), Universal Order (28/1), Zabeel Champion (40/1), Kelly's Dino (50/1), Reshoun (66/1)

CONTACT confirmed the promise of his reappearance when successful over this trip at Newmarket in April, going on some way out and maintaining the gallop to win with authority. He gets the nod to defy a 5 lb higher mark, with the returning Mahrajaan and Forza Orta fellow improving 4-y-os who must be respected.