Dave Nevison hopes one horse can follow up after belated victory last time, while our website tipster has hopes for another after an encouraging return to hurdling last time.
I feel Haydock may suit him better than a big galloping track like at Newbury last time, where it is very tough to win competitive handicaps from the front.
Song Of The Hunter probably ran a much better race than first appeared there, as he was harried throughout by an extremely well-handicapped rival on his best form. An easier time in the lead looks likely here, with only the out of form Chazza likely to want to take him on.
This will be only his third run for Johnny Farrelly and the bang in-form trainer is trying him in cheekpieces for the first time. I am happy to stick with him for at least another run.
Kapitalise had dropped 7lbs in recent runs, but had just one over hurdles in that time before getting placed for the first time in a similar modest handicap to this at Exeter most recently.
He has certainly not enjoyed his two starts over fences and maybe it was the return to hurdling, but that was a good effort and he may have finished even closer but for a mistake at the last.
His yard contains largely modest runners, has the stable has been in better form recently with three placed runners at big prices in March and it looks like a winner is due.
The slightly longer trip wouldn’t seem likely to be an issue, as he was going on well at Exeter. It is difficult to find any of his rivals who are in as relatively good form recently.
Fantastikas had been second in five out of six starts before victory last time and, while he didn’t need to improve to win, he did need to confirm he was capable of delivering.
He led or disputed the lead throughout and was never challenged, kicking on two from home and making the most possible use of his proven stamina in that Fontwell event.
The handicapper has lots to go on, but the three-mile trip is the angle for me because I feel that gives him possible scope to improve from his mark of 128. I am also hoping that, having achieved that first win, it is possible Fantastikas might have grown in confidence and can begin to do better.