Haydock - 1:40 (18 Dec 2004)

Sodexho Prestige Handicap Hurdle Race (B) 2m4f

Course Description
Left handed galloping track of 1m 5f, oval with a tight hurdles track inside the chase course. The chase course has big stiff, difficult fences have a drop on the landing side like Aintree and is regarded as a fine testing ground for Grand National prospects. There is a long run-in, which often sees the lead change hands, but front-runners have a good record here.

Analysis
Handicap Hurdle races are notoriously difficult, but as I have entered the Racing Forum’s ‘Pricewise Challenge’
[http://www.theracingforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard/topic.cgi?forum=14&topic=1325] this is the race is selected for this week’s entry.

The profile for this race suggests that the winner will come from either Lord Olympia, Very Optimistic or Petrula. Lough Derg is predicted to be the market leader based on efforts thus far, but 4yo’s and favourites have poor record in this race.

On form Petrula should run well. He came 2nd in a competitive handicap over course and distance 14 days ago and runs extremely well at Wetherby, which is another tight Hurdle track.

Very Optimistic is noted as having a particular liking for Haydock and if you ignore his recent run at Chepstow, he should go well today. His trainer Jonjo O’Neill has the best percentage win for races of this type at this course. A major plus for Very Optimistic.

In this race last time our runners have a good follow up record and Lord Olympia meets this criteria. That win was over the same distance 21 days ago. Well weighted and rated and suited to soft going, unfortunately his trainer (Miss Venetia Williams) is not noted with a good record over Handicap Hurdles.

In a difficult handicap hurdle, I will side with Very Optimistic as my Pricewise selection and Petrula as my two against the field.