The pick of the prices at Haydock....

Friday, 9th June 2023

The pick of the prices at Haydock….

It’s all about timing on Saturday up at Haydock….

At some point during the afternoon thundery showers – and an absolute bucket-load of attendant rain – are expected….

According to all the data I’ve been studying this morning….

…. that weather front is due to hit the track after the one race I’m targeting – the 1.50….

But it’s touch and go – there’s only an hour or so in it. And – as you know – the weather does its own thing….

You might know it’s on its way, but the estimated time of arrival is only ever approximate – and it’s always subject to change….

If tomorrow’s forecast weather front arrives earlier than currently anticipated….

…. then it could swiftly change underfoot conditions at the track – good (good to firm in places) as of this morning – to something much softer….

There’s not much I can do about it. I can’t control these things….

I’m going ahead on the assumption that current forecasts are correct and that the sound surface will hold….

If the rain arrives early, I’ll just have to swallow it….  

Of course, I’m committed today. That’s the nature of writing this column….

You, on the other hand, have options. You can wait and see what happens. Your call….

• Sky Bet Reverence Handicap – 1.50….

This is a C3 handicap – which would usually fall outside my remit….

…. but it’s a quiet weekend for handicap punters and this is a decent-enough race….

I couldn’t knock anybody backing Mr Wagyu – the in-form horse in the race and well-handicapped to boot….….

…. or All The Kings Men – trying 6f for the first time on these shores – with Ryan Moore an eye-catching booking in the saddle….

…. but both are well-found in the betting and my job is to dig something out that can run a race at a bigger price….

The one I like is LETHAL NYMPH at the general 10s….

He wasn’t going anywhere and he was already under the pump when hampered at Windsor last month….

Backed into favouritism ahead of the race he was perhaps entitled to need the run – given it was his seasonal debut….

He’s certainly better than that showing and he can make amends tomorrow….

As one of two 4yos in tomorrow’s race – and the least experienced runner in the field – he’s open to more progression than most….

…. and on the pick of his form he could still be very well handicapped on his mark of 95….

He’s 2 from 3 in handicaps at C2 level and could very well have a class edge over multiple of his opponents tomorrow….

Clive Cox has been talking about him as a potential Wokingham horse and if he’s anything like a half-serious proposition for that, then he ought be a full-on contender in this….

• The last word….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back next week….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose, or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned.

Against the Crowd