3:15 Haydock Tips

Good bumper form and three hurdle runs for the 6yo. Never in trouble when winning an 11-runner maiden hurdle last time out by 2L, the front two pulling 22L clear of the rest. A fair opening handicap mark, still unexposed. Will be fresh after a seven-week break, and this longer trip for the ex-PTP winner can bring about some improvement. Good jockey change for today.

The beaten favourite over a shorter trip in a Class 3 when runner-up here last time out. Remains on the same mark but eased in grade to Class 4 to have every chance of going one better.

Having moved to a new stable, The Cistercian won at the first time of asking last December. Since then he has raced three times, finishing in the frame twice and unseating his rider in his other race. Today, The Cistercian makes his first appearance in a handicap. Hopefully the return to a slightly longer trip will not be an issue, and with a clear round of jumping he should once again be in the mix.

This horse has been off for over a year, so that brings more than an element of caution to the bet. But he's handicapped to go close if the new trainer has him back to anything like the horse he was, and a very in-form jockey has been booked for the first time. Furthermore, the horse has run well after extended periods off before, so clearly can put in a good show when running fresh. The horse won a maiden hurdle easily, where the 2nd and 3rd have won several times since. The runner-up has won off 124 and Goldwyn has won races here off 106, and that's the piece of form which makes him no forlorn hope with just 8 hurdle runs on the clock.

SUNRAY SHADOW saw off rivals at an Aintree maiden Hurdle on good ground last season and has since slide down the weights to an attractive and workable mark again. The further drop in grade for this is a good sign for another great finish.

This 5-year-old, trained by Donald McCain, is a competitive NH hurdler showing promise. With respectable form in Class 4 events and several places, he is a developing prospect. I believe he will soon excel, offering great value at 16/1.

Dream Diamond was sent off favourite LTO and he made mistakes and stopped very quickly after racing in front. Prior to that he scored easily at 2m off 120. Now up to 122 with an extra 3 lb claimer (119), Chadwick is on board for an in-form yard. He's bred to stay up to 2½m and should have brushed up his jumping after a break. He's still a class act who can challenge top weight if settling better in a very open race.

Very well thought out. Was pitched into a Grade 2 second run over hurdles. Makes handicap debut today in a Class Four, so connections must be confident of a good run. Has some form from previous runs; the second from that race has won since.

Notnowlinda has been reunited with Heidi Palin, who has a good affinity with this horse, having a win and two places from her three rides. One of those was a 4th of 16. The horse has won previously after a similar break last March.

This is Phineas Bunce's second run after his wind operation. He struggled towards the end on his latest run at Ludlow three weeks ago. Now upped in trip, he could do better and hit the frame if the operation worked.