EMITOM TO RELIVE PAST GLORIES AT HAYDOCK
Stage Star found a leg on the landing side of the final fence to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup last Saturday. Both our selections ran well to finish 2nd and 3rd and will get their turn over the rest of the season.
Today, it is the Betfair Chase that is the highlight at Haydock backed up with the valuable Betfair stayers handicap hurdle. 16 runners go to post and we hope for a surprise result taking on those shorties at the top of the market.
I am keen to take on the younger horses at the top of the market. They have to prove themselves over a truly run three miles and could well be found wanting. Emitom was a class novice hurdler who finished second to Champ at the 2019 Aintree Festival at Grade 1 level over three miles. His inconsistency has resulted in this lightly raced 9yo dropping to a handicap mark of 127. No offence to Warren Greatrex but I like that he has gone to trainer Alan King. He won on his first run for Alan at Newbury last season.
This season, he returned at Newbury earlier this month when tiring late to finish second behind Young Butler. The handicapper has raised him 3lbs to 130 but as this is an early closing race, he is allowed run off his old mark of 127. Emitom can step forward again here and has the ability to win carrying a low weight of 10-12. Tom Cannon seems to get on well with the horse and he could surprise against those at the top of the market.
Wakool is a huge price and totally overlooked in the betting. This 7yo is a proper stayer and enjoyed a lovely prep race at Ayr three weeks ago. He ran well in this race last season but found the ground too testing finishing 7th to winner Botox Has. He won over course and distance late last season when accounting for Itchy Feet off level weights in a Grade 2 hurdle. Wakool will love the good to soft ground and likes to come from off the pace.
I think he has a good chance of placing and who knows might even cause a major shock wearing a first-time visor.
Haydock – 2:20
0.5 point each way Emitom 12/1 Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook & Bet365, all 5 places.
0.5 point each way Wakool 33/1 Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook, 888sport & Bet365, all 5 places.
Past Results
Click to see past Big Saturday Race Preview Tips results
