Fine Form
Haiti Couleurs HY – 3.00
can announce himself as a major force in the staying division by claiming the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
It may have been a few years since Rebecca Curtis has had a real star on her hands, but she knows exactly what to do when one arises and plenty should be taken from the fact she is eager to pitch her exciting second-season chaser into the deep end on Merseyside, rather than take the handicap route to the top.
Although a three-time winner over hurdles, chasing was always going to be Haiti Couleurs’ bag and he flourished last season, winning four of his five outings over the larger obstacles, including a clear-cut victory at the Cheltenham Festival and a fantastic display at Fairyhouse to land the Irish Grand National.
Those victories ignited chatter of Gold Cup dreams this season and after a winning comeback over hurdles at Newbury, he will be fully primed to continue climbing the chasing ladder in a race which has a wide-open feel to it.
It will also be interesting to see the return of
The Jukebox Man HY – 1.50
at Haydock, who will be of warm order in the Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase.
Ben Pauling’s top prospect looked to have the world at his feet when landing the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing ay, but having then been a short price for a host of Cheltenham Festival options, saw his season cruelly curtailed by injury.
The apple of owner Harry Redknapp’s eye, the seven-year-old has a 331-day absence to defy, but this race has been used as a stepping stone to greater things by some high-class animals in the past and The Jukebox Man could get supporters toes tapping by serving a reminder of his stellar potential.
The major betting heat of the day comes in the Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle where
Navajo Indy HY – 2.25
could be worth chancing on his first try at three miles.
Tom Symonds’ six-year-old has proven an ultra-consistent performer over shorter distances, winning twice last season, including the Gerry Feilden at Newbury, before returning to the track to pick up third in the prestigious William Hill Hurdle.
He was a good second at Cheltenham over two and a half miles on his seasonal return in a race that appeared to have plenty of depth and with the benefit of that pipe-opener under his belt, now could be the time to catch him over a distance that could bring about further improvement.
There is also high-class action at Ascot where the feature Ladbrokes 1965 Chase promises to be an intriguing affair.
There is a real case to be made about King George runner-up Il Est Francais with odds-against on offer, such is his potential to obliterate the opposition from the front going his preferred right-handed, while Harry Fry’s Gidleigh Park has enormous untapped potential still to be seen.
However, Paul Nicholls’ reliable
Pic d’Orhy AS – 1.30
is impossible to keep out of discussions such is his phenomenal record at Ascot and he is the percentage call to notch up a race hat-trick having blown away the cobwebs with a fine effort to finish a narrow second in the Charlie Hall earlier this month.
Gordon Elliott’s Wodhooh has to be feared in the supporting Ladbrokes Ascot Hurdle, but Sam Thomas has his string in rude health and
Celtic Dino AS – 2.40
could be the smart alternative as he continues his progression through the ranks.
Always held in high regard, he was tuned-up to win the Welsh Champion Hurdle on his reappearance and saw the form of that Chepstow win franked when runner-up Alexei stormed to Greatwood Hurdle success last weekend.
That Cheltenham contest was in fact one which Celtic Dino skipped in favour of better ground elsewhere, and with conditions set to suit, a bold bid is likely from a horse deemed worthy by connections of holding an entry for the Fighting Fifth.
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