3:34 Haydock
This Class 3 handicap at Haydock over 6f 212y on good ground brings together a compact field of seven where the KTB Fit ratings point to a competitive but not overly deep race. The top four are separated by just nine points on the KTB scale, yet the selection stands out with the strongest recent record and proven ability at this trip. Several runners are dropping in class or trying first-time headgear while the pace shape suggests a clear advantage to the one horse able to dictate matters.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is a lone leader with high confidence, meaning one horse is expected to bowl along uncontested on the front end with little pressure from behind. Yanifer is the only front-runner in the field and should be allowed an easy time of it from draw 7. That sets up a test for the held-up types, who will need to produce their effort late and close the gap in the final furlong, posing the key question of whether any can reel in a clear leader on this track.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Crimson Spirit KTB Selection67/100Crimson Spirit is a useful performer with a solid recent record that includes two wins and a fourth in this class last time.
- 2Pellitory63/100Useful performer who has shown little spark in two runs this season after a long break.
- 3Yanifer60/100Yanifer is a useful performer on his day with a solid record at this trip including six wins from 22 starts.
- 4Wechaad58/100Useful performer who has won over this trip and looks well drawn in stall 2.
- 5New Image51/100Fair performer who has won twice at today's trip but arrives in modest form having failed to finish in the first three on his last four starts.
- 6Christian David51/100Fair performer who has shown consistent but largely modest form this year.
- 7Moonshine51/100Moonshine is a fair 3 year old with a solid recent record of 2-2131 and has already shown placed form over today's trip.
The contenders
Crimson Spirit KTB Fit 67/100
Crimson Spirit arrives in excellent order with a recent sequence of 301421 that includes two wins and a solid fourth in this class last time out. A useful performer, he has won six times at today's trip and has handled good ground with two victories from twelve starts on it. The Daniel and Claire Kubler yard posts a 14% strike rate at Haydock from 42 runs while Tom Marquand operates at 16% from 289 rides here. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is drawn in stall 4 and should be ideally placed to launch a challenge once the leader comes back to him.
Pellitory KTB Fit 63/100
Pellitory is a useful performer who has shown little spark in two runs this season after a long break. Stall one could be an advantage on this track yet both the yard and jockey operate at a steady rather than high strike rate here, with David O'Meara at 12% from 649 runs and Daniel Tudhope at 14% from 608 rides at Haydock. The trip is no problem and he has handled good ground in the past, recording one win from seven starts on it with two further places. Usually held up, he will be looking to come from off the pace in what is likely to be a steadily run affair.
Yanifer KTB Fit 60/100
Yanifer is a useful performer on his day with a solid record at this trip that includes six wins from 22 starts. He has won twice from nine runs on good ground and both trainer and jockey hold above-average strike rates at Haydock, Harriet Bethell at 17% from six runs and Oisin McSweeney at 16% from 25 rides. His recent form is poor and he was well held when tried here once before, finishing eighth. As the only front-runner he is likely to be allowed an uncontested lead which could make him dangerous if he returns to form.
Wechaad KTB Fit 58/100
Wechaad is a useful performer who has won over this trip and looks well drawn in stall 2. Dropping back from a mile to a distance that has suited him before, his recent form of 13-473 shows consistent placed efforts without winning lately. The Roger Varian yard has an 18% strike rate at Haydock from 316 runs though Ray Dawson is operating at 9% from 67 rides here. Usually held up, the three-year-old will need to find a bit more now stepping down in class on good ground where he has been competitive without winning.
The rest of the field
New ImageKTB Fit 51/100
New Image is a fair performer who has won twice at today's trip but arrives in modest form having failed to finish in the first three on his last four starts. First run at Haydock and first-time headgear both add unknowns while the yard's 12% strike rate here from a large sample is respectable without being strong, though Oisin Murphy's 19% record at the track offers some encouragement on good ground where the horse has already shown he can win.
Christian DavidKTB Fit 51/100
Christian David is a fair performer who has shown consistent but largely modest form this year. Placed once from two runs at Haydock and with a solid record on good ground, he drops back from a mile to a trip he has won at in the past. First-time headgear is now tried as he steps down in class.
MoonshineKTB Fit 51/100
Moonshine is a fair 3-year-old with a solid recent record of 2-2131 and has already shown placed form over today's trip. He ran a good race when second on his only visit to Haydock and steps back up in distance having been placed both starts at this range. The yard holds a 19% strike rate at the track from a large sample though the jockey is on a 10% record here.
KTB verdict
Crimson Spirit stands out as the KTB Selection. His solid recent record, proven ability at this trip and six wins over the distance give him the strongest profile, while the trainer and jockey combination at Haydock adds further confidence. He is drawn to get a nice tow into the race from off the pace in a contest where the leader may get an easy time of it. The main dangers are likely to be Yanifer if allowed to dominate up front and Pellitory if he can rediscover his best form from stall one, with Wechaad also capable of a bold show dropping in class.
KTB Selection Crimson Spirit
This is the narrative read of the 3:34 Haydock. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Haydock racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is expected to take the uncontested lead?
Yanifer is the only front-runner in the field and should be allowed an easy time of it from draw 7.
How many wins has Crimson Spirit recorded at today's trip?
Crimson Spirit has won six times at today's trip.
What is the recent form of the selection Crimson Spirit?
Crimson Spirit's recent form figures are 301421.
Which runners are making their first appearance at Haydock?
Pellitory, Crimson Spirit, Wechaad and New Image have no course form on record.
Which horses are trying first-time headgear?
New Image and Christian David are both fitted with first-time headgear.
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