UK Horse Racing Tips: Haydock

Maiden hurdle winner Jony R needs to step up on that form if he wants to bother the unbeaten MASKED MAN. The son of Masked Marvel won a Stowlin point-to-point by 12 lengths before scoring by the same margin on his hurdling bow at Chepstow where he made all the running and, if his hurdling improves, he could be one to follow this season. Double Measure ran well in second on his hurdling debut and can also get involved.
Prediction : 1st Masked Man 2nd Jony R 3rd Double Measure

Sunnyvilla won over C&D last December and although now a veteran, he has gone well fresh before and could surprise a few. ESCAPEANDEVADE caught the eye when second at Worcester on his first start for Harry Derham and although upped 1lb for that, he is entitled to improve for his first start since March. David's Well arrives unbeaten over fences after wins at Leicester and Chepstow and is another to take seriously.
Prediction : 1st Escapeandevade 2nd Sunnyvilla 3rd Davids Well

KABRAL DU MATHAN is stepped up in trip on his first start for Dan Skelton after a neck second at Ayr over 2m on his final start for Paul Nicholls. There is every chance he has improvement to come. The Four Sixes returns to hurdles after winning over fences at Wetherby last month by nine lengths, though Milldam may prove the bigger danger if he gets enough cut in the ground.
Prediction : 1st Kabral Du Mathan 2nd Milldam 3rd The Four Sixes

A smart hurdler, THE JUKEBOX MAN is proving even better over the larger obstacles. He followed a Grade 2 success at Newbury with victory in the Grade 1 Kauto Star at Kempton at the end of last year and Ben Pauling's progressive charge could prove tough to beat on his reappearance. Iroko finished a respectable fourth in the Grand National when last in action and could feature on his first start after a wind operation, while Knappers Hill is worth noting too.
Prediction : 1st The Jukebox Man 2nd Iroko 3rd Knappers Hill

MA SHANTOU landed a competitive handicap at Cheltenham on last month's comeback. Emma Lavelle's charge is taken defy a 9lb rise given the ease of that success and edge out Ace Of Spades over this trip. The latter scored over 2m4f at Aintree on his reappearance and is likely to prove competitive once again, while Horaces Pearl makes his handicap debut having placed in Listed company at Perth back in April.
Prediction : 1st Ma Shantou 2nd Ace Of Spades 3rd Horaces Pearl

GREY DAWNING was beaten by Royale Pagaille in this contest 12 months ago but a mistake at the last probably cost him the victory that day. He ended last season with a second in the Bowl at Aintree and a repeat of that level of form may well be good enough given this renewal lacks star quality. Haiti Couleurs, who won the National Hunt Chase and Irish Grand National last season, has the benefit of a recent run. However, the eight-year-old still has plenty to find to beat the selection. Any further rain would help Royale Pagaille's chances of retaining his crown. Cases can be made for both Handstands and Stellar Story, but career bests are required from them.
Prediction : 1st Grey Dawning 2nd Haiti Couleurs 3rd Royale Pagaille

Despite having to carry plenty of weight, FAMOUS BRIDGE tops the shortlist as Nicky Richards' gelding won this race back in 2023 and rarely runs poorly at this venue. When last seen here, the nine-year-old was first past the post in the Grand National Trial in February and, while he was subsequently disqualified from that success, he could make amends off the same mark following a prep over hurdles three weeks ago. Shomen Uchi remains unexposed and has to be of interest in a first-time tongue-tie, while Duke Of Deception and Konfusion are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Famous Bridge 2nd Shomen Uchi 3rd Duke Of Deception