Sport

Weekend Betting Tips: Benbens set for big run at Haydock

Our tipster Karl Hedley provides the odds for the weekend's races

SATURDAY

HAYDOCK

2-55 BETFRED GRAND NATIONAL TRIAL (GRADE 3 HANDICAP CHASE) – 3 M 5 F

Benbens went extremely close in a higher grade at this track last time and he should be able to reverse places with the re-opposing Samstown who is nine pounds worse off this time around. He was doing all of his best work in the closing stages suggesting that a further step up in trip would not pose too much of a problem and he is fully at home on testing ground.

The front two pulled some twenty four lengths clear of some decent stayers last time including Vintage Star, Corrin Wood and Green Flag indicating that the form would prove quite useful. Nigel Twiston Davies trained Frantic Tan when he won this race back in 2001 and Benbens has to be high on any shortlist.

Samstown is two from two so far when partnered by Brian Harding and it is of significant note that he is yet again on board this afternoon. Despite being burdened with a huge weight he has improved in leaps and bounds since joining the Alistair Whillans team and he is fully familiar with the track. He is clearly in a rich vein of form and if staying this extra distance he could still provide a massive threat.

Monbeg Dude is a seriously talented sort and now has the assistance of AP McCoy. He will be help up for a customary late burst and with his stamina assured he too looks capable of making the frame. If taking to this track at the first time of asking he will be there or thereabouts. There is no doubt that this race shall be a stamina sapping contest and it often pays to side with lightly weighted types. It could well come down to the five pound allowance that Ryan Hatch is able to claim here and that could make all the difference.

3-25 PERTEMPS NETWORK HANDICAP HURDLE (SERIES QUALIFIER) – 3 MILES

Buddy Bolero made a decent enough seasonal reappearance when making his debut for Tony Martin. He was staying on through beaten horses to claim a remote sixth in a field of fifteen at Limerick back in December. He is fully entitled to have come on for that run and this step up in trip should see further improvement from the Malcolm Denmark owned gelding. He was a four time winner when trained by David Pipe and often went best with plenty of give in the ground. Denis O’ Regan takes the reigns for the first time this afternoon and he is unlikely to be coming over just to take in the fresh air.

Across The Bay is the only previous course and distance winner in the line-up and he can go well fresh. He has won over a lot further in the past and will not mind if conditions were to deteriorate. Donald McCain has his yard in fine form at present and this local runner could provide a big threat.

Bygones Sovereign and Michael Heard made fools out of plenty of jockeys when winning at Newbury last weekend. He was allowed a substantial lead from the very start and nobody else could get near them in the end. This is a quick turnaround for the nine year old but his yard excel at winning big race handicaps and if in the same rich vein of form he too commands respect. Buddy Bolero should still have more to offer. At the age of nine he has relatively few miles on the clock and he can play a part where it matters in this competitive handicap.

LINGFIELD

4-15 DOWNLOAD THE LADBROKES APP HANDICAP – 7 FURLONGS 1 YD

Al’s Memory has recorded six previous wins on this circuit and five of those have come at this trip. He is still fairly well handicapped on the best of his old form and John Egan rides for the fourth time in succession. A return to this track can only be in his favour and he can confirm form over the likes of Remembrance Day and Living Leader.

Polar Kite has already beaten the selection on two previous occasions and without a doubt he looks the biggest danger. He returned to somewhere near his best when a fine runner up at Kempton last time and remains another that is dangerously well handicapped on what we know he can produce. He too is a previous course and distance winner and is likely to make a bold bid under Robert Havlin.

Bertie Blu Boy takes a step up in grade but is another that rarely performs badly at Lingfield. Kevin Lundie takes an invaluable seven pounds off his back and they too could well make the frame. David Evans knows the time of day with his runners and Al’s Memory should be capable of going well yet again.