16:20 Haydock

Saturday 29 April 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:4516:2016:55

Lathom Handicap

Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 1m 41.6s

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Selected odds by:

(8)

Coco Jack²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Loughnane⁽⁵⁾| T: George Scott| OR: 93

13/2

Won trio of minor events last summer before scoring in nursery at Hamilton. Not disgraced when mid-field at Chelmsford last time but his mark looks about right.

Form: 123-356

(4)

Signcastle City²³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 87

25/1

Off the mark at Salisbury last July prior to an improved third in a listed event at the same course last month. Proved too free when running below best on nursery debut at Ascot (7f) on next start and market may act as best guide on seasonal return.

Form: 5135-

(9)

Pol Roger²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 86| C| D

16/1

Won minor events here and at Thirsk last August. Underperformed when mid-field at Musselburgh on return and now has bit to prove having also ended 2-y-o campaign with a disappointing effort.

Form: 21120-5

(6)

Royal Rhyme^t¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 85

4/1

Overcame inexperience to make a winning debut at Thirsk (7f, soft) in September. Had breathing operation during time off and failed to progress when fourth of 5 in minor event (9/2) at Kempton (8f) on return so now has questions to answer.

Form: 1-4

(5)

Animate²²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Harry Burns⁽³⁾| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 85| BF

9/1

Shamardal colt won 13-runner novice event at Newcastle (7.1f) on third start before shaping well on nursery bow at Ayr next time, no extra only late having raced freely and met some trouble. Mark still appeals as lenient and he's a leading player on return having been gelded.

Form: 4314-

(1)

Racingbreaks Ryder²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 84| D

4/1

Off the mark at the fourth attempt at Brighton on final start on 2 yrs and justified strong support to make a successful start in handicaps at Nottingham (8.3f, heavy) 24 days ago. Can make presence felt in hat-trick bid.

Form: 0231-1

(3)

Conservationist¹⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Rossa Ryan| T: C G Cox| OR: 84| CD

4/1

Won C&D minor event on second start last year before perhaps finding conditions too testing when mid-field in Newmarket listed event. Not discounted on handicap debut after 6-month absence.

Form: 215-

(2)

Acotango²³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R Kingscote| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 83| D

14/1

Showed improved form to make a winning nursery debut at Kempton (8f) in September. Off the track since (gelded) but 3 lb rise shouldn't overface him if sharp enough on return.

Form: 5241-

(7)

Deceiver³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: David Egan| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 79

11/2

Strong in the betting and improved when winning 14-runner minor event at Kempton (7f, 3/1) 31 days ago. Related to several useful performers and further progress is likely.

Form: 37-1

Forecasts

Racingbreaks Ryder (4/1), Royal Rhyme (4/1), Conservationist (4/1), Deceiver (11/2), Coco Jack (13/2), Animate (9/1), Acotango (14/1), Pol Roger (16/1), Signcastle City (25/1)

Another tricky three-year-old handicap. ANIMATE still looked a bit rough around the edges when last seen but appealed as one who was almost certainly ahead of his mark and is taken to make a winning reappearance having been gelded. Racingbreaks Ryder and Deceiver arrive on the back of recent victories and are both highly respected, with Kempton nursery winner Acotango another player on his return.