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12:20 Haydock
With just the three runners heading to post, it is easiest to side with STAGE STAR, who readily saw off Mortlach on his most recent outing at Plumpton over an extended 2m3f. He represents a stable in flying form, so should not be underestimated, but Lac De Constance was going well when unseating Harry Skelton on his latest run over 2m at Kempton and rates a serious threat to the selection. Grand Voyage completes the line-up.
Prediction : 1st Stage Star 2nd Lac De Constance 3rd Grand Voyage
12:55 Haydock
WHEELBAHRI arrives on a hat-trick bid and is fancied to deliver another bold showing. He has gone up 5lb following a comfortable victory at Kelso over 2m1f, but he made all on that occasion so a drop in trip may not be enough to stop him. Destined To Shine retains the mark following a solid second behind Richmond Lake at Wetherby last week and he is feared most, ahead of the unexposed Sholokjack.
Prediction : 1st Wheelbahri 2nd Destined To Shine 3rd Sholokjack
13:30 Haydock
A case can be made for several of these, but none more than the unbeaten CHASING FIRE, who arrives following an emphatic success at Market Rasen over an extended 2m last month. His dam is a full-sister to the exceptional Milan and there is likely much more in his locker, but Pembroke caught the eye when bolting up at Ludlow last month and can give the selection plenty to think about. Toothless is a half-brother to the classy Sceau Royal and is another worthy of consideration.
Prediction : 1st Chasing Fire 2nd Pembroke 3rd Toothless
14:05 Haydock
EPATANTE has been no match for her illustrious stablemate Constitution Hill the last twice, but this represents a much easier task, having not run outside of Grade 1 company since winning a Listed hurdle at Newbury in November 2019. The ground may not be ideal for her but similar comments surely apply to her main challenger I Like To Move It, who was a major disappointment in the Relkeel Hurdle on New Year's Day. This test should suit him much better, while Minella Drama is of interest under these conditions.
Prediction : 1st Epatante 2nd I Like To Move It 3rd Minella Drama
14:40 Haydock
A small but select field for this valuable contest, in which it can pay to side with the veteran BRISTOL DE MAI, who won this all the way back in 2017 before going on to win three Betfair Chases. The 12-year-old showed in the Grand National Trial here last February that the fire still burns bright and he can see off the relatively unexposed Fontaine Collonges, who was a determined winner over C&D in November. Cooper's Cross and Empire Steel cannot be ruled out either.
Prediction : 1st Bristol De Mai 2nd Fontaine Collonges 3rd Empire Steel
15:10 Haydock
BROADWAY BOY proved a different proposition when winning on his handicap debut at Aintree last month and with both the second and third from that race winning subsequently, a 7lb rise may not be enough to prevent another success. De Legislator has yet to taste defeat in his short racing career and rates an intriguing rival now entering this sphere for the first time. The six-year-old could prove the chief threat, ahead of the class-dropping Stellar Magic, who was last seen running a fine race in defeat at Wincanton.
Prediction : 1st Broadway Boy 2nd De Legislator 3rd Stellar Magic
15:40 Haydock
THEREISNODOUBT is turned out quickly after romping home by 11 lengths at Kelso and he is sure to be hit hard by the handicapper in the near future. Patrick Wadge's claim negates the 7lb penalty for that success and he looks the one to beat. Quick Sharpener won a big-field contest at Wetherby last month and isn't taken lightly now entering handicap company off what looks a fair opening mark. Hartur D'oudairies is another to consider after a promising reappearance at Exeter in November.
Prediction : 1st Thereisnodoubt 2nd Quick Sharpener 3rd Hartur Doudairies