It's quite a good day of action today up and down the country and there are plenty that take my fancy. At Haydock, conditions are going to be very testing which should suit LORD OBERON really well. Karl Burke's horse loves heavy ground and has a great record on it even off marks a lot higher than this. He doesn't get these optimum conditions too often hence his form figures, but he has dropped to a mark now where he could be very dangerous and the 20/1 available last night was a belting each way price.
MIKMAK is another mud lark who I expect to go well today. He's been dropped again in the handicap after a much better run at Redcar. He was at a disadvantage that day as nothing came from off the pace so his 5th place effort was a sound result given the circumstances. Back here at Haydock where he was ran so well before I really fancy his chances off a mark of 70.
Ian Jardine will be expecting a big run from RIVER ICON in the finale at Haydock. He was in fine form this time last year on the level and has again dropped to a mark where he could be strike from. This looks like a flakey race with not many guaranteed to go on the ground nor stay the distance but my selection is proven on the surface and will relish every inch of the 2 mile trip. At around 7/1 he looks the bet.
Stuart Edmunds' HEPIJEU looks primed to outrun his odds in the 3m handicap chase at Fakenham. This horse seems to love it around this quirky track and rattled up a string of victories in summer 2019, two of them here. He has struggled off a higher mark since but has now been given a bit of relief from the handicapper and could be ready to strike again around a course he loves.
To round off a bumper day of tips, I think DOUKAROV is a free each way bet to nothing in the lucky last at Fakenham. Sean Curran's charge looks to have plenty of ability but it seems to have been a case of harnessing that ability as he is rather free going. He showed improved form the last day when held up in a very good race and if similar tactics are employed today I think he could trouble the market leaders.
Haydock 1.45 – Lord Oberon – 1pt e/w
Haydock 2.48 – Mikmak – 1pt e/w
Haydock 3.48 – River Icon – 1pt e/w
Fakenham 3.40 – Hepijeu – 1pt e/w
Fakenham 4.10 – Doukarov – 1pt e/w
