Haydock hosts a quartet of Grade 2 contests on their seven-race offering from 12.55pm-4.20pm on Saturday.
The Peter Marsh Chase (2.40pm) and the New One Hurdle (3.15pm) will draw lots of attention.
Watch all the Haydock action via live streaming when logged into MansionBet.
Our tipster has selections for all Saturday’s Haydock racing.
12.55 – Read Nicky Henderson’s Unibet Blog Novices’ Chase (Grade 2, 2m4f)
ALLART, fifth in a red-hot renewal of last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle behind stablemate Shishkin, was very impressive when debuting over fences in a Grade 2 at Ascot last month. He readily went by Fiddlerontheroof (good run at Warwick last Saturday) and with improvement to come, should take plenty of stopping now. Empire Steel and Marown will win more races over fences, while Silver Hallmark lost to the aforementioned Fiddlerontheroof only in a head-bob at Exeter in November and is a threat to the market leader.
Selection: Allart @ 4/6
1.30 – Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2, 1m7½f)
Llandinabo Lad was second in a similar race at Ascot last month, his only defeat in three over timber, and must again attempt to give away weight to the field now. All four rivals are last-time-out scorers, with the mares Nada To Prada and Anythingforlove on the upgrade and much-respected. MINELLA DRAMA was beaten by Llandinabo Lad at Bangor in the autumn (second) but has won both starts since and, now 10lb better off with that rival, he can reverse the form for in-form trainer Donald McCain.
Selection: Minella Drama @ 9/4
2.05 – Unibet Extra Place Races Every Day Handicap Hurdle (3m)
It was a bit disappointing that Farrants Way didn’t back up an excellent Sandown run behind Portrush Ted when he was favourite at Chepstow a fortnight ago. Venetia Williams’ charge likely betters that effort before long. Hijack has been a bit frustrating for his supporters lately (beaten favourite last three starts) but will get a change of fortune soon. Clyne loves it around here in the mud but took a tired fall just a fortnight ago so preference is for CHEF D’OEUVRE to back up a good effort over fences at Wetherby last month. That was his second run back from a long layoff and, from the same mark over timber, he may have a challenge in him.
Selection: Chef D’Oeuvre @ 13/2
2.40 – Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (Limited Handicap) (Grade 2, 3m1½f)
This race centres around last month’s easy Kempton winner Royale Pagaille for Venetia Williams. He sauntered through that test on handicap bow and won as he pleased. The handicapper wasn’t impressed and he’s 16lb higher now, though the Rich Ricci-owned seven-year-old may well be equal to it.
If he’s vulnerable, the likes of Sam Brown, Sam’s Adventure and veteran Smooth Stepper will be keen to strike but LAMANVER PIPPIN has plenty of stamina and Colin Tizzard’s runner showed good promise on his comeback second at Cheltenham in November before a fair run in first-time cheekpieces (off here) in a strong Welsh National Trial since at Chepstow. The increased trip here favours him.
Selection: Lamanver Pippin @ 10/1
3.15 – New One Unibet Hurdle (Grade 2, 1m7½f)
Dual Champion Hurdle hero BUVEUR D’AIR makes his return from a near 14-month absence for Nicky Henderson now. He shed his Cheltenham crown in the spring of 2019 (fell early) and was beaten by Supasundae over 2m4f at Aintree a month later (reversed that form at Punchestown over 2m). He had a valid excuse for his Fighting Fifth second at Newcastle when last out and, if he’s got all his faculties in order – or even close to it – he’ll take full advantage of the 6lb last year’s gutsy winner of this race Ballyandy gives him. The best days remain head of Navajo Pass, who would ideally want further than this, but he could give Ballyandy something to think about.
Selection: Buveur D’Air @ 4/7
3.50 – Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap Chase (2m)
DESTINED TO SHINE pulled a long way clear with winner Equus Millar over C&D last month before settling for second-best on similarly heavy ground. He’s been left alone on a mark of 126 and should go close to some compensation. The long-absent Reivers Lad is one to monitor, while Zuckerberg should have claims, but perhaps Black Pirate is a principle threat after a pleasing chasing debut at Newcastle last month (third).
Selection: Destined To Shine @ 4/1
4.20 – Unibet Casino Deposit 10 Get 40 Bonus Handicap Hurdle (1m7½f)
Handicap debutant Fearless has shown enough to suggest he can go well off an opening mark of 122, despite unshipping Fergus Gregory at Ayr in November when last out. Olly Murphy will surely have worked on his technique at the obstacles. Imperial Acolyte was a decisive Ffos Las scorer in November and needs shortlisting, despite a 10lb hike but perhaps NEFYN POINT will take the finale.
He was second at Carlisle in November on heavy ground and that should stand him in good stead for this, while his 10lb claiming rider went close to a first winner under rules at Newcastle in midweek and may go one better now for an in-form Donald McCain yard.
Selection: Nefyn Point @ 5/1
*All odds correct at time of writing