Haydock Park best bet (1325): Stamina test should suit Fortescue down to the ground
Haydock to inspect as Storm Eunice takes its toll
Tipstrr pundit Steve Jones landed us a nice 4/1 winner on Friday, and is looking for more of the same from Saturday’s selected mudlark, who should relish the testing conditions at Haydock.
13:25 Haydock: Betfred Last Fling Handicap Chase (3 miles 4 furlongs 97 yards)
When the going is heavy at this venue, it is usually very challenging indeed, so the emphasis will be well and truly on stamina, all of which should suit Fortescue, who likes nothing better than a galloping track with testing ground.
His seasonal return at Chepstow earlier this month saw him finish a never nearer fourth of 10 in the Welsh Grand National Trial over three miles on heavy ground, which was a solid performance on his first run for 238 days so he can be expected to come on again for it.
Eight of the ten runners in the 0-154 contest at Chepstow were rated higher than any of today’s opposition, so it was a significantly stronger event which took place over 4.5 furlongs shorter than this.
Having been outpaced four out, Fortescue was coming back at the leaders in the closing stages and, given that he was beaten by only 6.5 lengths, he would likely have gone closer still had that stronger race been over today’s trip.
Fortescue now runs off his lowest chasing mark since he ran within a length of winning a 0-147 at Kempton at exactly this time two years ago.
His one previous run over this course and distance came in February this year when he ran fifth of 14 in the Betfred Grand National Trial, a Grade 3 handicap in which he ran off 143.
Based on his recent return to action, Fortescue looks poised to strike very soon off this mark, and this could well be his day.
Suggested bet: Fortescue in the 13:25 at Haydock
- Tip advised by Steve Jones who runs CD Systems Daily Bargain on Tipstrr
Of the others, East Street arrives in good form following two big runs on heavy ground on his last two outings, the first of which saw him beat eight rivals to win a handicap at Wetherby last month and the latest saw him beaten by just a neck at Newcastle.
They were lower-graded events than this one, but this is far from strong for Class 2 standard and East Street’s chasing record on testing ground (21312) means he is worthy of serious respect in these conditions.
Next best bet: East Street in the 13:25 at Haydock
READ MORE: Saturday ITV racing tips: Best bets for Newbury, Haydock and Taunton on December 30
