Stayers' Handicap Hurdle Tips: 25/1 Shot Chanced at Haydock
Of course the highlight on the Haydock card this Saturday is the Betfair Chase, a race in which we will see Protektorat defend his title against Bravemansgame, but before this a mighty fine appetiser is the Stayers' Handicap Hurdle. Fergal O'Brien sends the favourite, but Billy Grimshaw is keen to back one at a big price each-way that looks to have a decent chance of upsetting the odds...
#AD 18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet £10 on Horse Racing (odds 2/1+) within 3 days of registration. No cash out. Get 2x£10 and 1x£5 Free Bets for Horse racing set markets and a £5 Slot Bonus for Big Bass Day at the Races, 30x wagering to redeem max £125. Bonuses expire in 14 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly
#AD New UK/IE customers only. Sign up and place your first sports bet at odds of Evens (2.0) or greater and if it loses, get a free bet equivalent to 50% of your first bet stake (min £10), to a maximum value of £25, plus 25 free spins on Gold Horsey Winner. Full T&Cs apply. 18+ | GambleAware.org
Crambo is an obvious threat to everything in this race. Fergal O'Brien's charge won the EBF Final at Sandown last season in fine style and his reappearance this campaign was borderline flawless, hardly breaking sweat at Aintree. Although this is his first go over three miles there is nothing he has shown yet that indicates he won't stay, and there is potential the six year old improves again. He is a worthy favourite and the suspicion is that a big weight of 11st 10lbs may not be enough to stop him, however there are reasons to look elsewhere with his price as short as 5/2 in places.
If he drifts I may still end up backing him win only truth be told, and the main reason for a potential Crambo drift will surely be punters steaming into Slate Lane, the Irish raider sent over by handicap plunderer extraordinaire Emmet Mullins. This horse has the profile we have become accustomed to when noting an E. Mullins runner in a big British handicap, looking a no hoper for former connections before being turned inside out and into a winning machine for the canny nephew of Willie. His last win at Newton Abbott was a real saunter to glory and while the handicapper has tried his damnedest with a 14lbs rise to stop him, if the money comes for this lad expect him to go very close indeed.
There is a fair gap between the top two and the rest in the betting at the time of writing, and although Lord Snootie has a chance the form of the Christian Williams yard puts me off the third favourite. Dubrovnik Harry is one I'm loathe to leave unbacked after putting him up last time out, but that run in fourth wasn't up to the level I'd hoped he could reach and he has a job on to beat the market leaders.
#AD 18+ Applies to New UK/IE customers who sign up via approved partner sites with promo code AKLUCKY100. If your first bet is a Lucky 15 on Horse Racing AK Bets will boost the return of that initial bet by 25% in the form of a free bet. GambleAware.org, T&Cs apply.
Emitom was heralded as a world beater by Warren Greatrex when in that traner's care but after a good bumper season never really progressed. Since moving to Alan King's yard there have been green shoots of recovery with a victory first time out in March preceding a good second at Newbury just over a fortnight ago. He should strip fitter for that race and the handicapper has been kind in leaving him on the same mark, but I think he probably should've won that day and I worry about his will to win. Perhaps I'm being harsh and will be cursing myself for looking elsewhere, but I'd expect a younger charge to be able to get the better of him.
Perhaps I am being too harsh on others and too lenient to the selection, but 25/1 about Howlingmadmurdock looks plain wrong. He is a very lightly raced sort for Tom Lacey and while he was an unfancied 40/1 shot in the Grade One won by Apple Away at Aintree last season, he certainly gave plenty of encouragement he was a smart animal on his last visit to the North West. Watching that race back, the front four are clearly very smart but it was Howlingmadmurdock that proved best of the rest, while doing a lot wrong to boot. He could not decide whether he wanted to lead or chase a lead, in the end floating from first to right out the back as the race progressed. Clearly not the easiest ride Stan Sheppard has ever had, I loved the way he plugged on for fifth in those conditions in a race he had made so many errors in.
Still only six, he could have plenty of improvement in him and although a mark of 140 makes this tough, I am convinced he will make up into a smart stayer. There doesn't look to be a decent pace on here which could mean Sheppard can keep his mount more prominent than he managed in that hot race at Aintree, so if he does manage to settle Howlingmadmurdock then his finishing kick could prove pivotal. He certainly has a steep task with the weight, but I do think he is a fair few points bigger than I'd like to lay myself and at 20/1 general price, with extra places galore, Howlingmadmurdock looks the bet here.
#AD 18+ New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org.