Unfortunately, none of the Lucky 15 selections picked out by Cairnzy were winners on Friday.
Triple Trade 6/1 (5pl) – Haydock 3.20
Brendan Powell has opted for the ride on Triple Trade as opposed to the other runner from the Tizzard stable. I think if he can reproduce the level he showed earlier in the season against younger horses, he puts himself with a solid chance in this race.
I am a huge fan of the Veteran races, but this looks to be a very competitive renewal. The prize pot of £51,440 to the winner has brought out plenty of the old boys to Haydock, and it will be a fantastic race.
Triple Trade was third behind Donnacha and Jagwar at Cheltenham in January, two horses that were in great form. The runner-up went close at the festival in March, and the level of opposition isn't as high in this race, despite the ratings being higher than Donnacha on a couple.
Tahmuras 9/1 (3pl) – Newton Abbot 3.49
I think it's very easy to go towards Calimystic or Kap Ouest in this race. They are both unexposed chasers and have recently won. I can't get myself involved in either of them, as I'm not sure the form is that strong. As a result, I thought Tahmuras was worth a chance, on the back of his recent second-place finish.
The run at Windsor was the best we've seen from this horse in quite a long time, and it's probably due to his falling handicap mark, mixed in with a 7lb claimer in the saddle. Freddie Keighley isn't in the saddle today, but Jay Tidball is, and he removes 5lbs from a handicap mark of 132.
Given he was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles a few years ago, and was a winner over fences off 137, and second in a Grade 2. This race is definitely winnable if he is in the same level of form as last time out.
Top Guy 10/3 (2pl) – Newton Abbot 4.20
Unfortunately, C'Est Difference didn't frank the form from the Newbury run that Top Guy finished second in, but I still believe that is a good piece of form to follow.
Top Guy hasn't managed to win a race since December, but has finished second on two occasions since. His handicap mark has been creeping up without winning, which is never ideal, but he's still very unexposed as a staying hurdler, and I think there's more to come.
Benmore 11/4 (3pl) – Carlisle 1.13
I was tempted to give Benmore a chance on the main thread, but my only reservations were the trip. I believe that if he stays the three miles, he is the most likely winner.
I think the top weight got a little lucky when beating Diamond Dealer. The runner-up was knackered late on after making the running, and he mugged him close home. After going up in the weights, I think he'll struggle against an unexposed stayer, if Benmore sees out the extra distance.
Benmore won at this course last time out, beating Kahavari in a close finish. The runner-up ran well the other day, so the form appears to be solid.
GambleAware