UK Horse Racing Tips: Haydock

MERRY POPPINS sports first-time blinkers following a fine second over an extended 2m4f at Cheltenham. She was narrowly denied over this sort of trip at Ludlow before that and can show the necessary benefit for a stiffer stamina test. Pounding Poet found only West Balboa too strong in a hot handicap at the Grand National meeting and can give the selection plenty to think about off 2lb higher. Thanksforthehelp bounced back from his Pertemps Final disappointment with a Southwell success, while Willaston and the Nicky Henderson pair Bold Endeavour and Mill Green are just two more to consider.
Prediction : 1st Merry Poppins 2nd Pounding Poet 3rd Bold Endeavour

Imperial Ace remains unexposed and is taken to improve on a disappointing handicap debut at Newmarket, but he has to shoulder top weight and DORNOCH CASTLE could be worth siding with, despite a 266-day break. Charlie Johnston's colt began his career with victories here and at Ayr and even though he failed to get involved in much deeper waters subsequently, he has had wind surgery and could bounce back on his handicap bow. Florida is another to bear in mind.
Prediction : 1st Dornoch Castle 2nd Imperial Ace 3rd Florida

COMMANCHE FALLS gets the vote having only been narrowly denied in the Abernant Stakes. The dual Stewards' Cup hero is fancied to uphold Newmarket form with Creative Force (third) and Tiber Flow (fourth), although he is now 4lb worse off so they could close the gap. However, Run To Freedom ran a blinder for second when sent off at 150/1 for the British Champions Sprint at Ascot, and is feared most on his return to the fray.
Prediction : 1st Commanche Falls 2nd Run To Freedom 3rd Creative Force

BYKER, who showed zest in first-time cheekpieces when touched off in the Boodles at Cheltenham, has taken really well to this discipline and can go one place better off just a 4lb higher mark. Brentford Hope has posted two facile successes since joining Harry Derham and is on a nice rating compared to his Flat figure. Washington appeals for at least a place in the frame on the back of a solid third, also in first-time cheekpieces, at Aintree, while Get Back Get Back is just one more to consider in a typically competitive renewal.
Prediction : 1st Byker 2nd Brentford Hope 3rd Washington

Things didn't go to plan for AL MUBHIR in the Lincoln at Doncaster, but he got back on track with a bloodless triumph at Leicester, looking better than a handicapper. Now returning to the scene of a 1m success from last October, the William Haggas-trained colt has a lot going for him, with ground conditions to suit, on his first attempt in a Listed race. Angel Bleu couldn't land a blow in a French Group 3 but is feared back in class and trip. The Wizard Of Eye ran well for third on All-Weather Finals Day, but has to concede weight all round now.
Prediction : 1st Al Mubhir 2nd Angel Bleu 3rd The Wizard Of Eye

Liangel Hope has a decent strike-rate on turf and should make a bold bid to add to his portfolio, despite going up another 3lb after winning at Brighton. However, this step up in class is likely to be more demanding, with entirely different ground conditions forecast. With that in mind, it can pay to side with the unexposed METABOLT, who has winning form with juice underfoot and is compelling from an attractive looking mark. Culcor is another with scope in first-time cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st Metabolt 2nd Liangel Hope 3rd Culcor

I Love My Baie was a comfortable victor on his debut at Perth just under a year ago and if ready to go on his return, he could have a say. However, preference is still for SCANDISK PARK, who is closely related to Hurricane Fly, so it isn't surprising that he went for a big price at the sales. He can make a winning debut for the Nicky Henderson stable, while Irish raider La Perle Est Belle is one to watch in the market.
Prediction : 1st Scandisk Park 2nd I Love My Baie 3rd La Perle Est Belle

Both LORDSHIP and Fairbanks make their handicap bow, with preference for the former, who shaped very well in second over 1m2f at Lingfield, when tapped for a bit of toe at the finish. William Haggas' gelding should improve for this step up in distance and is fancied to get off the mark. Ironopolis got up by a head when upped to 1m4f at Southwell and was only raised 4lb, which keeps him in with a shout on his return to the turf.
Prediction : 1st Lordship 2nd Fairbanks 3rd Ironopolis