3:50 Haydock Tips

Only beaten by a neck on the penultimate outing at Chepstow before going one better at Wincanton last time out. Looks the one to beat here, with no concerns about underfoot conditions despite a six-pound hike in the weights.

This horse was a good second at Windsor last month on soft ground and runs here off just 4 lb higher. Good jockey booking and has previously gone well at this track. Decent each-way chance with four places on offer.

Gwennie May Star should arrive in good nick for this hurdle off 115, with a first-time tongue tie added to his cheekpieces arsenal. He's notched 3 wins from 9 on soft going like this, including a recent 3-length win when upped in trip off a 6 lb lower mark. He is also making steady progress as a stayer, and he is extremely unexposed here.

Found a Diamond I believe is useful and can be shaping up to a very good round of hurdling with a low weight of 10-6, and his jockey Shane Markey taking off seven pounds. He might be chased home by Cave Court, another Irish-trained horse.

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With the yard returning to form just in time for the spring festivals, this looks another live chance. Did it with resilience at Windsor in a similar race, and this track should suit much better.

Willie Mullins sends Chart Topper over the Irish Sea for this very open-looking Pertemps qualifier. I can't think of any trainer who is more adept at getting his horses back to their peak for tough handicaps after a break than the great Irish trainer. I wouldn't be concerned about the break this one has had; indeed, it is a positive. He has some form in his homeland that indicates he is a smart horse.

Real throwback type on pedigree as is out of a Beneficial mare with Roselier in his forefathers so should stay all day, and as is out of Court Cave loves the mud too. In fact dam produced the smart Lie Forrit as her first foal who actually won the Grand National trial here some 11 years ago for Lucinda Russell over 3m4.5f ironically on Valentine's Day too!! Goes well fresh, bred to stay all day, loves the mud and yard sent out a double for young claimer earlier in the week at Ayr. I smell a plot job and as goes well fresh this must be his target so looks a corking EW play despite having a bit to prove on form.