Haydock Park – Wednesday 1st December

It was not quite the end of the month that I was hoping for but at the end of the day, it was another profitable month for WhichBookie. I am delighted that since coming on board for this team, that I have registered five winning months out of six. I am hoping to continue to deliver the goods as we move towards the exciting Christmas period of racing. I can’t wait to get stuck into all the action – but the month starts off with a good card at Haydock this afternoon. There is a nice mix of races and I have two selections from the later handicaps on the card, both at each way prices.

The first race I will be covering is the 2.50 on the card, which is a race that would warm the heart. It is always brilliant to see these Veteran Chases being run and hopefully some of these old boys can turn back the clock and run some big races. I quite like a horse in this race at a price, and it is Tinker Hill Tommy for the combination of Rebecca Curtis and Richard Patrick. This horse improved out of all recognition last winter, winning twice before coming a very respectable second on his final start of the season. He was raised from a mark of 110 to 125 by the end of the season to surmise the improvement he underwent. 

However, his reappearance run at Ludlow was absolutely lifeless and it was reported by the jockey that he was never travelling a yard on that occasion. That would leave him with plenty to answer for in this race, as this might be a little bit stronger on paper than that Ludlow race. However, I am taking the angle that Curtis’ horses are improving out of recognition for their first run, and I have seen plenty of them trying to get better for that first run. If he was to return to the form he left last season in, he should have a big chance in this race, given that he is ground versatile and could still be ahead of the handicapper. He is currently priced at 14/1 with SkyBet at the moment, who are offering 5 places for this race – which seems like a good each way option. 

The 3.20 race is the concluding handicap hurdle on the card and is over 2m3f. 15 runners are going to post in this race, and it’s great to see such competitive handicap fields on this softer ground, because this is exactly what jumps racing is all about. Those will remember that I put up Goobinator last time out at Bangor as a short price in a competitive field. He fell when travelling well that time out, and I’m not sure I can bring myself to back him again at a short price in such a good field. He is a very well handicapped horse, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go in and win – but at a price of 2/1, I think I can let him win at those sorts of prices. 

Instead, the bet in this race is on the Alastair Ralph trained Osprey Call – who also is coming into this race on the back of a fall when looking like he would win last time out at Newbury. His novice form from last year made for nice reading, and he came into this season with plenty of prospects off his current mark of 122. It obviously didn’t go to plan on his seasonal debut, when coming down after being well backed into favoritism on the day. Provided he hasn’t been too affected by that fall and comes here in the same form as last season, he would have a massive chance in this field – with the step up in trip likely to suit. He is currently 15/2 with SkyBet, who again are paying out 5 places, and he is an each way bet.