HAYDOCK RACEDAY – 22Nd JAN 2005



It was touch and go whether this years meeting would survive the wet
weather but in the end the rain was replaced by some sunny if colder
weather for this year's Peter Marsh Chase day. The wet weather led
to testing heavy ground which reduced the size of the fields but
there was still plenty of quality on show.



The 1st race was a Gr 2 Novice Hurdle with a quality 5 runner field
which included Astronomic (faller in the Gr 1 Tolworth Hurdle 14
days earlier) and Aintree winner Turpin Green. However neither of
these were good enough to cope with winner ROMAN ARK and runner up
Baby Run who both seemed to cope slightly better in the ground.
Interestingly this race was previously run at Wetherby and it seems
to have replaced the Gr 2 Long Distance Hurdle which was previously
a key race on this fixture.



Next up was the Gr 2 Champion Hurdle Trial race with a 7 runner
field including Festival hopefuls INGLIS DREVER and Royal
Shakespeare. As neither had won on such testing ground the inclusion
of Mister McGoldrick (winner of Gr 2 chase last time out but with
soft ground form) looked an interesting alternative to the main two
contenders. And so it proved with a bold run just fading after the
last with the favourite taking control. The Tote place of £3 on the
runner up seemed better value than the 4/5 price on the winner both
before and after the race. Quite how the market will react to Royal
Shaespeare's run (surely the ground didn't suit?) and Harchibald
(who beat that horse by a `comfortable' 4l) remains to be seen but
if it turns up soft at the festival I wouldn't put anyone off
supporting the Graham Wylie owned gelding in the Champion Hurdle.



A slightly bigger field of 8 contested the Gr 2 Limited handicap
hurdle over 2m 4f. Plenty in with a chance at the final flight but
victory went to French raider BLUE CANYON whose owner JP McManus
must be worried about his main stables problems as the Festival
draws ever closer. Whether favourite Patriarch Express would have
followed up without his fall is a matter of debate. However the
favourite's stable mate (Royal Emperor) put in an eye-catching run
in 2nd place after seemingly failing to take to the bigger obstacles
thus with a slightly longer trip next time surely this one can get
back to winning ways once again.



Only 7 went to post in the feature race (Peter Marsh Chase) although
after the first circuit this rapidly became a two horse race between
favourite LORD TRANCEND making it a double for owner Graham Wylie
(as well as the trainer/jockey combination of Howard Johnson &
Graham Lee). The winner received 17lbs from the runner up First
Gold , whose previous race was a 5th place in the King George, thus
it is difficult to say just how good the winner is at this time –
clearly progressive though. Chives disappointed after a good run in
the Welsh National and possibly this race was a little too soon.



The NWRC Novice chase had a field of only 4 runners but they were
all in with a good chance in an open betting heat. Trabolgan drifted
in the betting (opening odds on based on last run at Kempton) and
was never jumping fluently or looking a likely winner – clearly the
Henderson horses are still not 100% right. However it was pleasing
that a local NW yard should benefit from this below par run with
JAZZ D'ESTRUVAL winning nicely in the end although with one faller
and another (Sonevafushi) jumping erratically early on then making
most of the running it is difficult to gauge how this form will
stand up. Personally with Trabolgan fully fit again Id take a chance
on that if there is a re-match later on this season.



After earlier disappointments owner Trevor Hemmings (a great
supporter of racing at Haydock) got off the mark at the 4th attempt
(and from a fourth trainer in Chris Grant!) with BARON MONTY whose
heavy ground form in the past was a clear indictor that the `PU'
form last time out should be treated with caution. Biggest threat
came from another French challenger Mayeul who is still improving
and possibly the less experienced horse just got caught out on the
day.



The last race of the day was probably the weakest bumper of the
season with only 4 runners going to post. With the Henderson yard
struggling at present favourite CANDELLO was there to be opposed but
frankly the opposition was so weak that even if only 80% fit it won
easily enough although odds of 2/7 were not for the faint hearted
given the yard is struggling still. Surely one that will come
unstuck when taking on a better class of opposition.



Winner of our raceday sweep was Vivienne Hall from Worsley who
managed to find four winners and three seconds on the 7 race card
with runner up being David Brookfield from Southport who also found
four winners but with one unplaced horse that made all the
difference!



Thanks to all those who entered the NWRC sweep which helped
raise £120 towards the Tsunami Earthquake appeal.