Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TAKE A RISK
Sam Thomas’ hurdles prospect will relish step up to 3m
GOOD RISK AT ALL is expected to thrive for a first attempt at three miles by beating 12 rivals for the Betfair Exchange Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (2.25) at Haydock Park.
Last February, the Sam Thomas-saddled six-year-old marked his second start in handicap company with a ninelength score over hurdles on the Ascot Chase undercard.
My selection underperformed with a sixth of 12 in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree’s Grand National fixture in April, but was back to winning form returned to handicaps at Carlisle last month.
Making his seasonal comeback against seven rivals, Sam Twiston-davies’ mount powered clear to beat Wholestone by four and three-quarter lengths.
That success came over two and a half miles on heavy ground, but this stamina test looks right up Good Risk At All’s street, and he can overcome a 6lb rise in the weights.
The featured Grade 1 Betfair Chase (3.00) makes limited appeal as a betting heat, with A PLUS TARD trading at odds on to repeat his triumph of 2021.
Partnered by Rachael Blackmore for boss Henry de Bromhead, Kapgarde’s son sluiced home by 22 lengths to state a bold claim for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
A Plus Tard duly delivered on his status as the 3-1 market leader for chasing’s Blue Riband in March, humbling stablemate – and title-holder – Minella Indo by 15 lengths, with Protektorat two and a half lengths away in third.
Given his class edge, and a good record fresh, it’s not hard to see why the incumbent is a hot favourite to defend his crown.
Paul Nicholls has captured eight of the past 10 runnings of the Get Daily Rewards With Betfair Graduation Chase (1.50) 12 months ago, and the champion trainer has another convincing candidate in the shape of HITMAN.
The six-year-old has won just two of his 10 attempts over the larger obstacles since joining Nicholls from France.
But the defeats include four podium efforts at the highest level, including a second to Fakir D’oudairies in the Marsh Chase at Aintree last April.
Hitman emerged with plenty of credit from the Old Roan Chase back on Merseyside last month, going under by a head to Riders Onthe Storm, to whom he was attempting to concede 20lb, and a reproduction of that performance should suffice.
The Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (3.35) rates a good opportunity for LORD DU MESNIL to rack up a fourth score at Haydock.
Richard Hobson’s stable stalwart hasn’t seen the inside of a winner’s enclosure since putting up a determined effort to lift the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at this track in February 2021.
But the nine-year-old has fallen down the weights as a result and there were green shoots in his second to Le Milos at Bangor-ondee 10 days ago.
Recent rainfall in the north west is a boost to his chance, and Lord Du Mesnil is poised to take advantage