UK Horse Racing Tips: Haydock

ROADLESSTRAVELLED defied a penalty at Wetherby to land the odds with the minimum of fuss. The five-year-old is likely to prove competitive at this level and a bold bid is anticipated. The unbeaten Rocheval has won a couple of junior hurdles in good style and looks a useful prospect. He's preferred to stablemate Bold Light on his reappearance, while both Saracen Beau and Country Mile are noted too.
Prediction : 1st Roadlesstravelled 2nd Rocheval 3rd Saracen Beau

Dan Skelton trained last year's winner and is represented by the progressive HOME FREE. He landed a double over fences when scoring with any amount in hand at Ayr last month and a 10lb rise may not be enough to anchor him. Galunggung looks another promising recruit to chasing, having won at Perth on his debut over the larger obstacles, while both Netywell and Eden Du Houx are respected.
Prediction : 1st Home Free 2nd Galunggung 3rd Netywell

BEAT THE BAT found only the useful Dysart Enos too good in novice company at Cheltenham at the end of last year. Harry Fry's inmate may well prove good enough off his current mark now handicapping and is marginally preferred to Kamsinas. The latter landed a Grade 2 novice hurdle at this fixture last year and won at Aintree on his reappearance, while Chepstow winner Josh The Boss and Steel Ally are both capable.
Prediction : 1st Beat The Bat 2nd Kamsinas 3rd Josh The Boss

This looks a good opportunity for the classy IROKO to make a winning start to his season. He wasn't disgraced when finishing fifth in the Turners at the Cheltenham Festival on his return from an absence, before posting an excellent runner-up effort in an Aintree Grade 1 over 3m1f. The talented but quirky Trelawne was last seen falling in the Ultima at Cheltenham but commands respect provided he puts his best foot forward. Tahmuras is respected most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Iroko 2nd Trelawne 3rd Tahmuras

Doyen Quest impressed when forging clear in a Cheltenham handicap over 3m last weekend and, officially 5lb well-in at the weights under a penalty, he looks obvious shortlist material. That said, if the quick turnaround catches him out, it may be BACKMERSACKME who takes full advantage. The son of Getaway wasn't disgraced when finishing fourth on his handicap debut off this mark over 2m4f at Worcester in September and, fit from a satisfactory spin on the Flat last month, he gets the vote. Catch Him Derry has done nothing but improve and is overlooked at your peril.
Prediction : 1st Backmersackme 2nd Doyen Quest 3rd Catch Him Derry

Grey Dawning has to be respected on his return to action following a very successful novice campaign, but he could be vulnerable in this company without a prep run. With that in mind, preference is for HEWICK, who improved on his comeback performance when narrowly denied by Envoi Allen at Down Royal earlier in the month. Last season's King George winner went on to finish third in a top-class renewal of the Punchestown Gold Cup in May and is arguably the one to beat on that form. Royale Pagaille cannot be discounted having taken this contest 12 months ago, while Bravemansgame should not be written off in first-time blinkers.
Prediction : 1st Hewick 2nd Grey Dawning 3rd Royale Pagaille

MY SILVER LINING arrives here on the back of two poor performances, but there were valid excuses for those defeats and they also mean that she arrives here 1lb lower than when third in the Midlands Grand National in March. That followed a fine second in the Grand National Trial over 3m4f at this venue the previous month and a reproduction of either of those performances would make her hard to beat. Credo was second in this race last season and could go well once again, while Fontaine Collonges and Le Milos are the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st My Silver Lining 2nd Credo 3rd Fontaine Collonges