Dave Nevison's tips for Tuesday: Iconic Knight can lead the charge at Haydock
With weather forecasters warning there could be a month’s rain in two hours this week – but with no specifications as to where - tipping horses in advance might be trickier than normal.
That’s my excuse in early for this week but with doubts over to exactly what ground we are going to be dealing with caution is not a bad approach before parting with your hard earned in any case.
I have tried to come up with a trio at Haydock who should handle any going.
1.25 Haydock: Will Sommers
The handicapper has a tougher time than ever this year with horses getting a rating after two runs and this one could very easily have got in very lightly.
Throw in the fact that he has had a wind op after the run which got him a mark of 70 and it all looks like everything has been worked to secure best advantage.
He made his debut last year at the Ayr Gold Cup meeting, which is often a meeting Kevin Ryan introduces his good horses. He ran well and went into plenty notebooks and on his only run this season he was not knocked about to be fourth in a strong race having gone off 7-4 favourite.
The horse he finished alongside is being touted as an outsider for the St Leger. A big field and strong pace will suit and he could easily make a mockery of his mark for his bang in-form trainer.
1.55 Haydock: Iconic Knight
Should be able to land at least one more sprint handicap now that he has regained the winning thread.
He has only been raised 1lb for his win last time, which came off the lowest mark he had run off in a handicap. That was in a 0-80 and he is down a grade this time which must also help his chances.
His yard is in very good form and he has previously won off a mark 4lb higher than on Tuesday afternoon and with Andrea Atzeni booked Iconic Knight looks set for a very good run.
He disappointed on this track on his penultimate start but missed the break slightly. I am hoping he sits just in behind what looks set to be a strong pace as he did at Chepstow.
4.25 Haydock: Tacitly
Is 5lb better off with Top Class Angel compared to last time despite finishing a short head in front of the Richard Hannon-trained filly.
These two might well end up having this race between them but I have no hesitation in nominating Tacitly to confirm the form.
She might well have finished further in front of her rival if there had been a pace in that race and it was Tacitly’s first run of the season while Top Class Angel had run already. This should be a stepping stone to better things for this lightly raced and well-bred filly.
