Super Ted primed for Haydock prize
Steve Hughes previews a super Saturday at Haydock
Top class jumping action today with the Betfair Chase, albeit with the emphasis very much on quality over quantity. From a betting perspective therefore I am looking to some of the chief supporting races for today’s bets at Haydock. Duc de Beauchene was a winner in the previous column on Sunday (advised 7/2) whilst Quoi de Neuf was placed for the each-way bet (8/1).
Haydock 2.25: Highland Hunter & Tedham
Two horses towards the bottom of the weights appeal in this valuable handicap hurdle.
Highland Hunter is worth a wager if for no other reason he has transferred from Lucinda Russell to Paul Nicholls for this season. He has already displayed a high level of form, with two fine runs at this track in the winter. He was a close third on his only run in a handicap in January (only 3lbs higher today) which shows he is competitively weighted. He was then a respectable fifth in a Grade 2 on ground that was probably quicker than ideal. Any level of improvement for the switch in yards must bring him into calculations.
Tedham looks sure to win a big prize this season and on his performance at Cheltenham last time it would appear he is being primed with today’s contest in mind. He was never really put in the race with a chance that time, but did pass plenty of horses up the hill and that will have put him spot on for today. He ran well all of last season, but his one win came on a largely flat track at Wincanton and it could be that he is best off racing on tracks that place a greater emphasis on speed like Haydock. Nevertheless the way he finished off over 2m5f last time does suggest he is ready for a test at 3m.
Haydock 3.40: Know the Score
Very limited on experience after just one chase under rules, Know the Score nevertheless looks the obvious choice in the finale.
He looks a relentless galloper who won his only point in Ireland with the minimum of fuss over 3m. A big money buy, his first two wins under rules came at two of the stiffest tracks in the country in Hexham and Towcester. He has been lightly raced since and had a wind op in the summer.
He seemed to benefit from that when making a successful debut over fences at Worcester last month. He has only been hit with a 5lb rise for that which seems lenient and takes on some old favourites here who are probably under the grip of the handicapper. With fitness on his side I think he can make the successful step up in trip into marathon company, especially around this sharp track.
Recommended bets:
0.75pts each-way – Highland Hunter – 2.25 Haydock – 11/1 Paddy Power (1/5 odds 1st 6)
1pt win – Tedham – 2.25 Haydock – 5/1 general
1pt win – Know The Score – 3.40 Haydock – 5/2 general
Next column – Friday 29th November – Ladbrokes Winter Carnival Newbury day one
