18:25 Haydock

Saturday 20 July 2024

All18:2518:5519:3020:0020:3021:00

Steve Yarborough Memorial Handicap

Off time: 18:25 | Winning time: 2m 9.53s

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Selected odds by:

(6)

Beaming Light¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jack Doughty⁽⁵⁾| T: L Horsfall| OR: 70

16/1

Standout effort when fifth of 10 in maiden at Nottingham (8.3f, good, 400/1) last month. Rather unsurprisingly failed to confirm that apparent improvement at Thirsk (8f, good) 17 days ago and now makes handicap debut back up in distance.

Form: 954

(11)

Savanna King²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: P J McDonald| T: J Parr| OR: 69

15/2

First run for new yard when never-nearer fifth of 8 in handicap at Leicester (1m) on reappearance 7f in May but failed to build on that at Newmarket (10f, good to firm) just over 3 weeks ago. Remains early days, but more is needed.

Form: 5643-54

(10)

Tiger Beetle^b,t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: M G Rimell| OR: 68

10/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2023. Blinkered for 1st time, again ran below form when tenth of 12 in handicap at Kempton (11f, 40/1) just over 3 weeks ago, his response to pressure most disappointing. Tongue strap back on but others make more appeal.

Form: 649460

(3)

Beautiful Crown¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: Jack Jones| OR: 68| D

5/2

Won first 2 starts for this yard and shaped as if still in good form under an ill-judged ride when third at Sandown (8f, good) just over 2 weeks ago, having a hopeless task from position. Still one to be interested in so can regain the winning thread.

Form: 370-113

(5)

L'Argent^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Joey Haynes| T: M Appleby| OR: 67

25/1

In first-time headgear but ran poorly tried on turf for the first time for current yard when ninth of 11 in handicap at Doncaster (10.2f, good to firm) just over 3 weeks ago. Tough to have much confidence in a resurgence.

Form: 045209

(1)

Leap Year Lad^p⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: O McSweeney⁽³⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 67| CD

9/2

C&D winner last year but very much a mixed bag this season, not looking keen when well held at Ayr (10f, good to firm) 5 days ago. Quick bounce back needed.

Form: 25-8639

(9)

Equion²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: William Carson| T: A W Carroll| OR: 66

14/1

Dual winner last year but doesn't seem to have returned in much form this term, always behind at Wolverhampton (8.6f) just under 3 weeks ago. Now 2 lb below his last winning mark but has a bit to prove at the minute.

Form: 1953-50

(8)

Olympicus^h²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Watson| T: M Appleby| OR: 66| D

16/1

Ended last year with a whimper and has failed to beat a rival on both starts since returning from 8 months off. Stacks to prove at present.

Form: 4150-80

(4)

Hot Team^b⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-10| J: Shay Farmer⁽⁷⁾| T: P Morris| OR: 57| D

5/1

Scored at Catterick in May before doubling his tally for the season at Hamilton (9.2f, good to firm) the following month. Remained in good form having a rare run down south when second at Chester (12.3f, soft) last week and should continue to give a good account.

Form: 413142

(2)

Fiftyshadesaresdev¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: A Mullen| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 56

11/1

Remains a maiden after 19 Flat runs and followed a better effort with a poor one when well held at Pontefract (10f, good) just under 3 weeks ago. Dropped another 2 lb and holds sound each-way claims.

Form: 7-33755

(7)

Mr Strutter³²

Age: 10| Weight: 8-7| J: A Elliott| T: D Thompson| OR: 54

22/1

Dual winner last season but yet to scale those heights this term, finishing a well-beaten eighth at Beverley (8.4f, good to soft) last month. Heads back up in trip but others more appealing for win purposes.

Form: 6-77338

Forecasts

Beautiful Crown (5/2), Leap Year Lad (9/2), Hot Team (5/1), Savanna King (15/2), Tiger Beetle (10/1), Fiftyshadesaresdev (11/1), Equion (14/1), Olympicus (16/1), Beaming Light (16/1), Mr Strutter (22/1), L'Argent (25/1)

BEAUTIFUL CROWN has made a cracking start for this yard, and given he was set an impossible task at Sandown just over a fortnight ago, he's fancied to regain the winning thread and take his record to 3-4 this year at the expense of Hot Team, who is as consistent as they come for horses at this sort of level. Fiftyshadesaresdev and Savanna King can do battle for minor honours.