Wednesday Haydock top tip: Brian Hughes can guide Jungle Jack home
Tipstrr racing expert Steve Jones has identified a possible upset at Haydock, where champion jockey Brian Hughes is booked to pilot Jungle Jack past the odds-on favourite.
The betting market has unsurprisingly gravitated towards Venetia Williams' twice-raced four-year-old Djelo, who has been installed as a heavily odds-on favourite following his easy win at Exeter last week, albeit against relatively mediocre opposition.
Djelo can run with a 7lb penalty today, which means he remains 10lbs well-in on his future mark, and explains his short price.
Today's company appears to be stronger as well, with Donald McCain's Jungle Jack coming in off some very strong handicapping form under conditions much like today's.
15:37 (Haydock) Jungle Jack
Having won his first four starts (a point-to-point and three runs over hurdles), Jungle Jack went to Bangor in March bidding to extend his unbeaten career record in what was a strong Class 3 handicap over just shy of two and a half miles of soft ground.
Given his unblemished record up to that point, Jungle Jack was sent off a strong favourite, and all looked well as he quickened off the home bend to go clear of Harbour Lake, only to make a terrible error which halted his momentum and handed the race to his rival.
It was an unlucky defeat but the subsequent performances of that day's winner makes the form look very strong in the context of today's event, with Harbour Lake also winning next time out and then finishing a very creditable third over an inadequate two miles in the valuable Grade 3 Greatwood Handicap at Cheltenham.