Friday tips: Dave Nevison's best bets at Haydock

Normandy Legend has been a huge disappointment for his stable since he was purchased ahead of a hurdling campaign last season. 

That definitely hasn’t worked out, but after a second breathing op, he didn’t shape too badly when returning in a basement grade at Bangor three weeks ago. 

He was held up but made a positive move approaching the turn for home before weakening. There was definitely a bit of spark there and he has one piece of Flat form that suggests he could be well handicapped off his rating of 65.

That run came before his breathing ops, so I am happy to take a small chance that returning to the Flat might enable him to show some form in this modest event. 

Leadman ran abysmally when I backed him at Glorious Goodwood but quickly bounced back after that when a good second next time out and probably should have won, which would have been annoying.

Things have definitely not gone right for the David O’Meara-trained hold-up performer but the shape of this contest looks promising. There looks likely to be plenty of pace on here and with a good draw in stall five, Leadman should be able to sit off the pace. With normal luck in running, he should be able to pick off his rivals in the closing stages. 

The five-year-old performed well on his only appearance on soft ground and I believe he is still well enough handicapped being just a pound higher than that narrow Newbury defeat.