Haydock 1.25
Haydock 1.25 - Handicap Hurdle - Class 2 - 3 miles 58 yards - Good to Soft (heavy rain due) - 17 run
The weather can't be ignored here either and whilst they will start on relatively fresh ground it is likely to be soft or heavier by the Off.
Not many in the field have proven heavy ground form and a few may well be pulled out on the basis they are really Good and Good to Firm Going horses.
At the top of the market at a couple with an ex-Flat profile who would have taken a lot of beating on Good or Good to Firm but I'll doff my cap to either Jersey Wonder or Proschema if they win in these conditions.
I narrowed it down to 6 horses and whilst it wouldn't be a surprise to see a freshened up DELL ARCA outrun Odds nor the now in form Tizzard yard with Tom Scu aboard the rank outsider Vision Des Flos run a much better race here, I was list with a more realist list of 4 to attack the race for some net profit. If the 17 stand their ground and with it the enhanced place Odds I would have considered Jarveys Plate but i've enough concerns about the handicap mark to leave it out on basis of possibly less than expected enhanced place Odds and it can be reserve if one or more selections is a non-runner.
The one I like most and a horse who has won before for us at his beloved Uttoxeter is SIROBBIE. The ground and the trip certainly won't be a problem, when it's heavy at Uttoxeter it's proper heavy Going, the horse is equally adept on soft, runs off a fair enough handicap mark and just looks one of the few in the race who will relish everything conditions wise. It will be disappointing if its not very competitive and placed at least.
GRAND MORNING is less experienced but has possibly more scope. There are a few confusing signals regarding the trip but this is not the toughest 3 miles and it's more about a nice rhythm here and not kicking on too soon down the very long straight. It's unquestionable that the horse loves mud, every drop of rain will be welcomed and another who has no excuses for not making a bold bid, if he runs out of steam in the final furlong, we'll have taken that chance on trust.
Finally comes Henderson's COLONIAL DREAMS who has very solid place form at the trip, will definitely get away with Good to Soft, hopefully soft and on current form and proven at the trip and off the mark would have been a tip on Good to Soft or Good ground. The fact it's the first race on the Card may just ensure that he can get round and get the job done before the turf really cuts up later on.
TIP - SIROBBIE - Trackers - Colonial Dreams + Grand Morning