13:30 HaydockSat 8 Apr 1m7f Hcap Hrd

1. Bubble Dubi: With a strong win at Stratford (2m) 4 weeks ago, beating Word Has It by 3 lengths, Bubble Dubi has leading claims in this race. With more to come and a 5lb rise, his strong-travelling style should suit this competition.
2. Whizz Kid: Secured his third hurdles victory at Doncaster (2m) 5 weeks ago and now runs 2lb higher. Although this race is tougher, Whizz Kid has been in good form and should not be ruled out.
3. Too Friendly: With two juvenile hurdles wins last season and some encouraging recent efforts, Too Friendly has potential in this race. Returning to 2m and wearing first-time blinkers could make a positive difference.

Others with potential:

• Galice Macalo: A useful hurdler with an impressive win at Chepstow (2m) in January. Had excuses for her last performance at Stratford and could bounce back to form here.
• Big Boy Bobby: Showed good form at Huntingdon (2m) and Kempton, but needs to step up to win this race. His recent form puts him in the mix.
• Castel Gandolfo: On a losing streak of 12 but was runner-up in this race last year off the same mark. Could be respected if returning to form after a break.
• Takeit Easy: Has not been in top form recently, but has had some help from the handicapper. Drier ground could help, but others are preferred.
• Word Has It: A fine second to Bubble Dubi at Stratford last month, with the same mark here. Could perform well again but might not be as progressive.

Unlikely to win:

• Nayati: Has had fair runs in competitive handicaps lately but faces another tough race here.
• Risk D’argent: A fair winning hurdler, but needs more to compete in this race.
• Cousu Main: Struggled at Chepstow off a revised mark and faces an even tougher race here.
• Fringill Dike: On a workable mark but faces his toughest assignment yet.
• Aggagio: Placed third in a weaker race at Fontwell 3 weeks ago and has work to do in this stronger race.
• Bashful Boy: On a good mark but needs a huge effort to land a race as competitive as this one.

14:05 HaydockSat 8 Apr 2m3f Mdn Hrd

1. Global Famenglory: Fair hurdler with a solid performance at Huntingdon (20.7f, good to soft) after an 11-month break, finishing second and clear of the remainder. Based on that form, she is the one to beat in this race.
2. La Gomera: Successful in her sole outing in points, she showed promise on her Doncaster hurdling debut (19.4f). Despite a poor performance at Ludlow, she could get back on track after a break.
3. Golden Glance: Exhibited fair form in minor flat events and sold for 35,000gns. She has shown encouragement in both starts over hurdles, though her proximity to the winner at Huntingdon may have flattered her.

Others to watch:

• All The Glory: Displayed fair form in bumpers and improved on her hurdling debut at Worcester (2m). Disappointing at Hereford, but could perform better after a break.
• Our Friend Mo: A £68,000 purchase who finished third in her sole Irish point start, she deserves respect on her Rules debut.
• Pass The Love On: Showed fair form when runner-up in a bumper and over hurdles, but will need to improve to be a contender.

Unlikely to win:

• Heneryetta Bay: Has shown little in both starts under Rules and needs this run for a handicap mark.
• On Cloud Nine: Performed poorly in a Musselburgh bumper and needs to show significant improvement to be competitive in this race.

14:40 HaydockSat 8 Apr 3m1f Hcap Chs

1. Mucho Mas: With two wins and two second places since starting over fences, he displayed great determination when fending off Feivel at Sandown (3m, soft). A 4lb rise is reasonable, and despite carrying 12st, he has a strong chance in this race.
2. Feivel: A progressive hurdler, he won a 3m handicap chase at Wetherby (good) and pushed Mucho Mas close at Sandown. Despite unseating in his last race, he has shown potential and will try cheekpieces this time, giving him a solid chance.
3. Neon Moon: Improved after wind surgery, with strong runs at Taunton (2m7f, good) and Ascot (3m, good to soft). Although he was only third of five at Newbury, he was just 4l behind and could have been closer without a mistake at the second-last fence. He deserves respect in this race.

Others to watch:

• Frenchy Du Large: A dual 2½m winner last year who returned to form at Taunton in his last two starts. With headgear added, he should not be overlooked.
• Morning Spirit: A decent 7¾ lengths third to Mucho Mas at Sandown and 5lb better off with the winner in this race. He could be a contender with improvement.
• Tim Pat: A hat-trick winner over further at this course, he came close at Doncaster in January. With excuses for his last performance here, he could be in with a chance.
• Enqarde: A winner of the Tommy Whittle here off 3lb higher last season but struggled in all four starts this term. He might bounce back after a second wind operation.

Unlikely to win:

• I See You Well: Had a productive 2021/22 campaign but may be too high in the weights at present.
• Sam Barton: Fairly useful hurdler/chaser, but others appear better treated in this race.
• Small Present: A thorough stayer, but disappointing in his last two starts, making him look vulnerable.
• Tide Times: A winner at Ludlow but has been held back by jumping in recent starts, making this race likely too competitive for him.
• Planned Paradise: Needs to show more after a break to be competitive in this race.
• Ladronne: Likely to give a good account but may struggle to win off his current mark.
• Jeffery’s Cross: Runner-up in all three starts over fences but may find this race more challenging.

15:15 HaydockSat 8 Apr 3m Hcap Hrd

1. Itso Fury (IRE): A strong contender for the win, this horse has held his own in both handicaps and comes from a stable with a good record in this race. With an eye-catching performance in his last race at Ascot and remaining unexposed at this trip, Itso Fury rates as a big player for a yard that has an excellent record in this event.
2. The Changing Man (IRE): Completed a hat-trick at Uttoxeter in November and has continued to progress since, with an eighth-place finish in the Pertemps at Cheltenham last time. The Changing Man should be competitive and is likely to give another good account of himself in this race.
3. Farmer’s Gamble: Showed strong form when winning at Exeter and although he has been raised 9 lb in the handicap, he still holds solid claims. This horse is not fully exposed as a stayer and arrives with the wind in his sails, making him a potential contender for the win.

Notable contenders:

• Apple Rock (IRE): Completed a hat-trick at Taunton and ran respectably at Ascot. One to watch and could potentially be in the mix.
• My Bobby Dazzler: A good second place at Chepstow and has had a wind operation since then. Worth considering as an outside chance for a place.
• Hyland (FR): Posted a good second place at Newbury and has a chance with the right conditions.

Unlikely to win:

• Young Butler (IRE): Has not shown any promising form this term and needs to show significant improvement to be competitive.
• Sirobbie (IRE): Has been largely below par since his win at Huntingdon last May and is not an appealing choice for this race.
• Pileon (IRE): Winless since 2021 and needs to get back on track after a disappointing performance at Newbury.

15:50 HaydockSat 8 Apr 3m1f Hcap Chs

1. Domaine De L’Isle: This horse showed an authoritative win at Chepstow (3m6f, soft) 16 days ago and going back up 3lb is not harsh. The yard is in very good form and the horse used to be capable of even better performances.
2. Ballinslea Bridge: The horse has a recent win at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft) in December, and two seconds in his other completions in recent months, including a recent performance at Wincanton 12 days ago. This horse is in the mix and has each-way claims.
3. D’Jango: Inconsistent but a player when on a good day, like the win at Lingfield in February (3m5f). Fair fourth next time, and the latest performance in the Midlands National can be forgiven. Needs a second look.

Other horses with a chance:

• Calipso Collonges: A win and two places in his three starts at this track, and respectable third on November reappearance. Edging back down the weights and not disgraced in previous races. First-time blinkers could help.
• Stylish Moment: A close third at Carlisle (3m, good) in October after a long absence, but hasn’t shown the same form since. Not the percentage call, but can’t be entirely discounted in a race where many have something to prove.

Unlikely to win:

• Achille: No win since April 2019, looked out of sorts this winter, and still has work to do after finishing 10l behind Domaine De L’Isle at Chepstow 16 days ago.
• Cobolobo: Questions to answer after failing to fire in his two starts this term and being absent for 107 days. Handicapper has eased, but market guidance needed.
• Special Acceptance: Out of form in his last five starts and has had a significant fall in weights. Needs a significant improvement to be in contention.
• West Approach: Nowhere near his old form, and recent performances suggest he isn’t a strong contender in this race.

16:25 HaydockSat 8 Apr 3m Nov Hcap Hrd

1. Marty Time: This horse has shown improvement when sent handicapping, winning by 6l in a ten-runner race at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) recently. Raised 6lb but was well on top last time and could easily have more to offer.
2. Aldsworth: Showed promise in a Stratford bumper and stepped up on previous hurdling efforts when third on handicap debut at Taunton 37 days ago. One to consider for potential improvement.
3. Here Comes The Man: A big-money buy following a sole point win, bettered previous Rules efforts when runner-up at Ayr 150 days ago. If tuned up, could be open to further progress.

Other horses with a chance:

• Some Scope: Irish point winner who has shown fair form over hurdles, with a stiffer test promising to suit now handicapping. Not discounted, but a step forward is required.
• Braganza Bay: Inconsistent but won at Hereford and Huntingdon with changes of headgear. Needs to maintain the same form without headgear changes this time.

Unlikely to win:

• Bobalot: Scored on his handicap debut at Chepstow (3m) in October but disappointing since, and others are preferred.
• Imperial B G: Handicap outings have been uninspiring, but has had a break since being pulled up at Bangor.
• Rocket Robbo: Modest form at best over hurdles and was running below form when falling at Southwell last time. Hard to make a strong case for.
• Master Of The Malt: Still a maiden, returned to form with a solid third at Sedgefield 16 days ago but not certain to build on that.
• Doors Breaker: Scored at Doncaster in February but pulled up in handicap hurdle at Southwell (20.4f) 33 days ago. Needs to bounce back.
• Loch Garman Aris: Veteran who won twice at Bangor in May 2021 but has completed only once since, faring no better at Southwell recently. Hard to fancy.

17:00 HaydockSat 8 Apr 2m4f Hcap Chs

1. Croagh Patrick: Back-to-back winner over fences in March of 2022 and returned to form when second of 9 in handicap chase at Carlisle (20f, soft, 11/2) 13 days ago. Likely player off the same mark and has done his winning on stiff tracks.
2. Fazayte: Made third start over fences a winning one at Market Rasen (19.2f) in December and has proved admirably consistent over hurdles since. Remains fairly treated and may be capable of better in this sphere, with cheekpieces back on.
3. Spark Of Madness: Winning start over fences at Perth (2m) last May and improved upped to this trip when doubling his chase tally in a 4-runner Newcastle handicap in November. Far from disgraced off this mark at Ayr subsequently and must enter calculations.

Other horses with a chance:

• O’Connell: Winner of a sole completed start between the flags and showed promise in 3 starts over hurdles. Warrants respect on chasing bow.
• Hold Onto The Line: Won two handicaps as a hurdler and made a successful start over fences at Musselburgh, but possibly amiss when last of 4 on his return visit. Still lightly raced and of interest, but there are concerns.

Unlikely to win:

• Cremant: Won an Aintree handicap hurdle last June but well below par when last seen at Uttoxeter in September and is still looking for his first win over the larger obstacles.
• Upagainstit: Edged home on chase debut at Warwick, but he beat a longstanding maiden in a Class 5 event, and he should have more on his plate this time; up 3lb.