08:11 There has been 8mm of rain overnight so some significant going changes:-

Chase - Soft, Good to Soft in places
Hurdles - Good to Soft, Good in places

The non-runners are already coming through, all going related so far. Details, as always, on the right. The non-runners so far mean both the opening contests become seven runner contests, so bad news for those wanting each-way betting.

Our selections are:-

12:14 Good afternoon from Haydock Park where the weather is currently overcast but the sun is trying to break through.

We have ten non-runners so far, all bar one down to the going, once again a full list on the right.

12:45 Once again my weather forecasting skills are on a par with Michael Fish, ignore the “sun trying to break through” bit, it is starting to rain again, only spits and spots but definitely wet stuff falling from the heavens.

13:40 Very quiet crowd wise this afternoon, which is a shame as Haydock is one of those courses in which a small crowd looks incredibly lost. Like Aintree and Cheltenham it needs a decent crowd to stop it being forlorn.

13:51 The opening race is the Champagne Lanson Gold Label Vintage Handicap Chase, a three mile contest, and it is currently the race with most non-runners, four are out leaving only six to face the starter.

13:59 For a field of what are meant to be experienced handicappers the runners in the opener are very disappointing.

Himalayan Trail is very skittish, Dark Ben looks edgy and Aces Or Better is slightly on his toes.

The best looking in the parade ring were the white Wizards Dust and Shrewed Investor, who looks very likeable.

14:30 The runners looked dire in the parade ring and they were equally dire on the track as well and it says a great deal about the standard of the race that the skittish Himalayan Trail hacked up.

The favourite Dark Ben and Runshan set the steady pace, jumping as one for most of the contest.

By contrast Aces Or Better was tailed off pretty early on and his race ended at the third when he unshipped.

There was little change in the order as they completed the first circuit although soon after Runshan dropped back leaving Dark Ben in front, although he was soon joined by Himalayan Trail.

Last years winner Shrewd Investor was close to the leaders as they entered the back straight, although it was also the point that second favourite Wizards Dust went into reverse before pulling up approaching the 12th.

By the time they reached the end of the back straight the race was effectively over as a contest as Himalayan Trail gradually pulled clear, at the same time Dark Ben went into reverse.

Himalayan Trail was a distance ahead coming to the last, indeed he was so far ahead he had been slowed down to a walk 100 yards from the line yet still came home 17 lengths clear.

Dark Ben was, to coin a phrase, absolutely knackered in second place and only just retained that spot from the “running on” Shrewd Investor, who came within a neck of the runner-up.

14:32 A going change, it is now SOFT all over.

14:37 Race two is the extended 2 mile Champagne Lanson Rose Label NV Handicap Hurdle in which six face the starter as we have two non-runners.

They all look reasonable going to post.

14:57 Another uninspiring contest in all honesty.

King’s Counsel set out to make all, albeit at a modest pace, with Sir Tantallus Hawk settled in second spot, followed by Mesbaah, the favourite Akarshan with Sea Storm and Thumbs Up settled in rear.

There was little significant change in the order as the race progressed, although Sea Storm was the first to drop back out of contention.

Turning for home it was still King’s Counsel who had the advantage but Sir Tantallus Hawk was on his quarters and Thumbs Up had made eye-catching progress to run into third spot with a chance of challenging if good enough.

Two out King’s Counsel and Sir Tantallus Hawk jumped side by side but Sir Tantallus Hawk soon pulled clear and, despite making a mistake at the last, never looked to be in any danger, eventually coming home six lengths clear.

There was a minor battle for minor honours with Thumbs Up finishing better than King’s Counsel to take the runners-up spot.

Well backed favourite Akarshan (9/2 into 3/1) was singularly unimpressive and although making some late progress, was only able to finish fourth.  

14:56 Another uninspiring contest in all honesty.

King’s Counsel set out to make all, albeit at a modest pace, with Sir Tantallus Hawk settled in second spot, followed by Mesbaah, the favourite Akarshan with Sea Storm and Thumbs Up settled in rear.

There was little significant change in the order as the race progressed, although Sea Storm was the first to drop back out of contention.

Turning for home it was still King’s Counsel who had the advantage but Sir Tantallus Hawk was on his quarters and Thumbs Up had made eye-catching progress to run into third spot with a chance of challenging if good enough.

Two out King’s Counsel and Sir Tantallus Hawk jumped side by side but Sir Tantallus Hawk soon pulled clear and, despite making a mistake at the last, never looked to be in any danger, eventually coming home six lengths clear.

There was a minor battle for minor honours with Thumbs Up finishing better than King’s Counsel to take the runners-up spot.

Well backed favourite Akarshan (9/2 into 3/1) was singularly unimpressive and although making some late progress, was only able to finish fourth.     

14:58 Our third contest is the Business Club Raceday Novices’ Chase, a 2 mile 4 furlong contest in which only four take their chances.

15:05 On the weather front there is now a steady drizzle.

15:13 A very open betting heat with Frankie Anson, Noun De La Thinte and Marcus all vying for favouritism around the 9/4 mark, with Leac An Scail the “outsider” at 9/2

15:30 Yet another facile winner, this time with the mare Noun De La Thinte coming home eight length clear. However the winning distance does not tell the full story as she was eased to a slow walk in the final 50 yards, so great was her lead, so Marcus seemingly being that close in second spot is highly flattered.

Indeed the closest “race” in the closing stages was whether third placed Frankie Anson would reach the final fence before the winner crossed the line, as it happened he did - just. Although had the winner not been eased he would have run the mini battle.

Entering the back straight all four runners were locked together and it looked as though we were in for a decent contest, but as they broached the back straight they gradually spread out.

Lean An Scail progressed no further than the first in the back straight when unseating his rider. It could be argued it is fortunate Lean An Scail was the only faller in the contest as none of the runners jumped fluently.   

15:32 Race four is the Business Club Raceday Handicap Chase, a 2 mile 5 furlong contest which potentially sees our joint biggest field of the afternoon as 10 line-up.

15:39 News of another non-runner, much to the delight of commentator Ian Bartlett, Shakalakaboomboom is out of the sixth.

16:11 Finally a finish to get excited about but before anything else to clear up an earlier incident.

Jass who pulled up before the 8th fence seems to be OK despite what was suggested in commentary. He walked into the horse ambulance.

Daldini and Leamington Lad shared the running with Aleron and The Vicar in second rank, this time the field were reasonably well bunched for most of the contest.

The joint favourites Lend Lease and Camden George were both happy to settle in the main group and hack around.

Camden George was the first of the favourites to make headway, running on towards the end of the back straight. The move was tracked by his fellow favourite Lend Lease.

As they turned for home Leamington Lad had a clear lead with Daldini beginning to struggle.

Lend Lease and Camden George were in second and third with Storyteller looking to be the only other serious contender.

Leamington Lad held the lead as they came down the home straight and by the time they approached the last Lend Lease was the only challenger, with Camden George back in third spot.

Both the leaders put in good jumps at the last but Lend Lease had a better turn of food and eased clear. However Leamington Lad was not going to go down without a flight and rallied on the run in, coming within three parts of a length of Lend Lease, with the line coming in time for the joint favourite.

Camden George was a one paced third with Daldini getting a second wind to take fourth.

16:12 Our fifth race sees nine line-up for the extended 2½ mile Racing UK £20 Per Month Handicap Hurdle.

16:21 Nevertika and Simple Jim are both taking strong holds going to post.

Favourite Nevertika is running away with his rider and has almost crashed through the rails going down.

16:25 Nevertika now stopped with a very sore jockey who managed to lose his irons. Is being led to the start, cannot believe he is still going to run.

16:47 Before we look at what happened in the race we need to look at what happened before the contest. Namely Nevertika taking a strong hold going to post and completing a full 1½ mile circuit of the course before being pulled up.

When he set off he was favourite, by the time he finished his antics he had drifted like the Marie Celeste in the betting.

Then, to the absolute surprise of most, he was still allowed to compete in the race. It was no surprise that he took no active part in the race, was soon tailed up, eventually pulling up.

The key question, however, is why was he allowed to compete in the race. It was obvious running a circuit at full speed was going to impact his chances. By allowing him to compete those who backed him before his antics are left with having no chance of winning.

Anyway back to the race itself and we witnessed a good front running performance from Benny Be Good, who was backed into favouritism. Setting off clear of his rivals he never saw another runner as he was allowed a reasonably easy lead with Auroras Encore and Soft Spoken Guy the only ones to go with him.

Come the business end of the contest Benny Be Good Had drawn the sting from his rivals, recording a six length victory. Auroras Encore came home second with Soft Spoken Guy a further six back in third, with none of the other runners making any sort of challenge.   

16:48 The Business Club Raceday “Fixed Brush” Novices’ Hurdle is our sixth contest, over the extended 2½ miles , in which just three line up.

17:14 A rather unsatisfactory three runner contest in which most of the contest was run at a hack canter before developing into a sprint in the home straight.

Although the favourite Plunkett led for most of the way round he never had a convincing lead and as they turned for home the three were more or less line abreast.

The pace finally picked up as they lined up for home.

Worth A King’s eased into the lead approaching three out, pulling well clear after the flight.

Gifted Leader was first to chase with Plunkett seemingly caught out by the injection of pace.

Between the final two flights Plunkett had retaken second spot and was in pursuit of the leader.

Worth A Kings cleared the last a few lengths clear but on the run-in he began to tie up.

Plunkett was closing with each stride but Worth A Kings had stolen enough of a lead to take the spoils by 1½ lengths.  

17:15 Our final race of the afternoon use of the extended 2  mile Business Club Raceday Standard open NH Flat Race which sees nine runners compete close for the prize.

17:45 Another facile finish as the favourite High Benefit trounced her rivals by an impressive 16 lengths in the bumper.

Educated Evans set the pace with Just Jennings and Kauto Cyreo in close attendance.

Wayne Hutchinson settled the favourite behind the leading group.

Educated Evans still had the advantage two out  but High Benefit was looming and when asked for an effort by Hutchinson he swept past and it was race over.

Beside The Fire tried in vain to make a battle of it but eventually had to settle for second spot as Saintly Lady ran on well to grab the second spot.  

17:48 Well that’s it from Haydock from what turned out to be a disappointing afternoons racing.

What looked to be a competitive afternoons racing on paper turned out to be a disappointment as most of the contests were uncompetitive, although it has to be said the drastic change in going did not help matters.

 Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.

SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate

Non-runners

14:10
1 The Hollow Bottom (going - 07:59)
5 Starburst Diamond (going - 08:51)
6 Morning Moment (going - 08:13)
9 Alfadora (going - 07:17)

14:40
3 Nearby (going 09:18)
6 Motarid (going - 07:58)

16:25
9 Robo (going 09:18)
10 Gee Dee (going 09:42)

17:00
3 Shakalakaboomboom (going - 15:39)
4 Vin De Roy (other - SC 09:29)

17:30
4 Mac's Haul (w/d - going)
11 Legbeforewicket (going 09:51)

Results

14:10 Handicap Chase 3m

1st 3 Himalayan Trail 11/2
2nd 2 Dark Ben 3/1 fav
6 Ran Nr's 1, 5, 6 & 9
Distances 17l
Fav second
Tote
Win £4.20
Places £1.90 £2.30
Exacta £18.70
CSF £21.53
Tricast £72.53
Time 6' 35.4"

14:40 Handicap Hurdle 2m 110yds

1st 1 Sir Tantallus Hawk 3/1
2nd 2 Thumbs Up 7/2
6 Ran Nr's 3 & 6
Distances 6l
Fav 4 Akarshan 5/2 (4th)
Tote
Win £4.00
Places £2.10 £2.20
Exacta £17.40
CSF £14.25
Tricast £32.71
Time 4' 07.6"

15:15 Novices' Chase 2m 4f

1st 4 Noun De La Thinte 15/8 fav
2nd 3 Marcus 7/2
4 Ran
Distances 8l
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.40
Exacta £8.30
CSF £8.17
Time 5' 31.3"

15:50 Handicap Chase 3m

1st 3 Lease Lend 9/2 jf
2nd 8 Leamington Lad 6/1
3rd 10 Camden George 9/2 jf
10 Ran
Distances ¾ & 8
Fav winner & third
Tote
Win £4.30
Places £2.10 £1.10 £2.30
Exacta £24.20
CSF £31.59
Tricast £127.49
Time 5' 51.8"

16:25 Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 110yds

1st 5 Benny be Good 10/3 fav
2nd 1 Auroras Encore 12/1
3rd 2 Soft Spoken Guy 15/2
9 Ran Nr's 9 & 10
Distances 6 & 6
Fav winner
Tote
Win £3.80
Places £1.70 £2.80 £4.00
Exacta £49.80
CSF £42.23
Tricast £282.72
Time 5' 05.2"

17:00 Novices' HUrdle 2m 4f 110yds

1st 5 Worth A King's 9/4
2nd 2 Plunkett 6/4 fav
3 Ran Nr's 3 & 4
Distances 1½
Fav second
Tote
Win £3.20
Exacta £4.80
CSF £5.70
Time 5' 22.8"

17:30 Open NH Flat 2m 110yds

1st 7 High Benefit 11/10 fav
2nd 5 Saintly Lady 9/2
3rd 1 Beside The Fire 15/2
9 Ran Nr 11 w/d 4
Distances 16 & 1¼
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.20
Places £1.40 £1.10 £3.30
Exacta £7.90
CSF £6.29
Time 4' 13.6"