Yesterday wasn't the worst, I went with Willie Mullins' rank outsider and he outperformed all of his stablemates at a nice price. A NR and a faller at the first set it up for Sassy Glory who gave us a great run for our money, it was always likely she'd fade against respected rivals but she gave us enough serotonin release to hopefully last into Sunday given my selections today.
I need a whole day to try to dig out gems which I haven't had, Saturday's selections look far short of standard in a day's racing which looks relatively decent. Best of luck in all of your bets.
Attacanter Racing Tips
Nariko 9/2 four places – 14.40 Haydock
Parisiac was 2nd to a selection of mine in the Ayr Bronze Cup. That was a competitive race and now aided by the yard's 5lb claimer, he was of interest at a price but I've allowed a ‘drift' from 12s to 14s to put me off despite chancing two of the trainer's riskier runners elsewhere today.
I've backed a good few of the others in my time and they do make appeal but I am sticking with Nariko who sits at the top of the market. A drift would be a big negative for this lightly raced 3yo, she's been pulled out twice since winning easily over C&D back in May. With only three places paid, her inclusion is hopefully quite safe, the trainer does well here and today's boggy conditions are surely what he has been waiting for.
Hugo Palmer has had 5 winners here since Nariko went in, from over 100 runners, a remarkable 40% have managed to win or place which if nothing else is reassuring. Mulrennan is used more frequently than I'd have guessed, 23 rides in 12 months, he has won a few but the stats suggest he doesn't do great around Haydock.
The C&D win back in May had worked out well enough, she's been given a 7lb rise for the 14-beaten rivals, this race is a step up but she has been patiently waited with and given her unexposed profile, is chanced at a skinny price.
Mr King 25/1 six places – 15.40 Newmarket
This is a very chancy selection from a yard who've sent just 7 runners here since 2020. I doubt very much the Newmarket based trainer's will concede an inch to Scotsman Iain Jardine but I am willing to include him despite a whole host of runners in this from the top yards, all at an each-way price.
Strangely enough, the trainer has two entered in this, mine looks the certified 2nd string. Being bought from a top Irish yard, I don't any ground concerns but his draw could make it hard for him if unable to get a decent position. Sean Levey is an experienced Newmarket jockey, I thought his booking was rather peculiar, presumably he could have got a ride from a bigger yard but I'll take it as a positive.
The selection was a close enough 3rd last time at Ayr in a race he was most likely targeted at, he's entitled to take his chance here but it would be somewhat of a surprise to see him in the shake-up in a race of this nature.
Baldomero 11/2 four places – 15.20 Ripon
I initially put Baradar in this race so let's hope he doesn't turn up. I then overlooked two others who weren't proven on the forecast ground but having seen how easily the selection won last time with De Sousa on board, I am unwilling to let it go unbacked.
The stable apprentice takes off 3lbs, he made all last time going over to the rail to aide, his wide draw here with the potential bounce factor may help to find us out but he is in fine form off that and his strong claims for a place can't be denied. He's never won back to back but does maintain his form and this looks to be as good a chance as ever.
Never Dark 12/1 – 15.15 Haydock
Blind Beggar is a massive price given he has beat Silkie Wilkie but it is last year's winner I am going to chance who hails from the same stable as Mr King.
Aberama Gold at 10/1 has gone, he must have strong place claims now 9/2, I risked this selection at 16/1, but any value is now effectively lost, I thought he had some kind of chance given this race would have been his plan but with only 3 places it certainly isn't one to text your mates with.
Never Dark is only 1lbs above his win in this last year, the same apprentice is on. the form of his last four efforts is far from ideal but this is horse racing and he can at least outrun his price.
*Advised Bet – Eachway L15*
WHAT IS A LUCKY 15 BET?
A Lucky 15 bet consists of 15 unique bets, covering every possible combination that comes from backing four selections. The 15 bets are broken down like this:
– 1 fourfold accumulator
– 4 trebles, with each treble omitting one of your selections
– 6 doubles, again covering every possible combination
– 4 singles
The attraction of a Lucky 15 is that it offers many more ways to win than a standard accumulator. A Lucky 15 uses both your acca and your singles as well as producing trebles and doubles that reward you for correctly calling 2/4 or 3/4 of your selections. To cover the 15 separate bets, a Lucky 15 uses your stake 15 times. If you were to place £1 on a Lucky 15, you would be staking £15 in total across the various bets.
In December 2020 we sadly 
