SAM BARTON can grab victory in the Challenger Staying Chase Series Final Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (2.40pm) at Haydock Park on Saturday afternoon.
Ahead of next week’s Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, fellow Merseyside track Haydock Park plays host to the Challenger Series finals day and Emma Lavelle’s eight-year-old can land a chase victory.
Sam Barton has only won once in 10 starts over fences, but he rarely runs a bad race. That victory came over 2m7f at Wincanton in October as he was driven out to score by a neck. He disappointed when fourth at Ludlow and was then pulled up at Wincanton having been badly hampered at the first fence by Fantastikas. But Sam Barton bounced back to be second to Flash Collonges over three miles at Newbury last month, having led for much of the way. He is still open to more improvement and stepping back up in trip slightly to 3m2f can help him land another victory in the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings.
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Merseyside-born trainer Donald McCain and fellow Grand National winner Dr Richard Newland have Tim Pat and Enqarde lining up in opposition and if they can bounce back from disappointing efforts last time are the chief dangers to Sam Barton.
Mel Rowley’s MY BOBBY DAZZLER grabbed a couple of victories at Aintree last season and may return to winning ways in the cavani.co.uk Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (3.15pm). The eight-year-old was pitched into higher grades after those wins and has had little success since. But he hinted at a return to form when second to Thanksforthehelp at Chepstow in February. He has had wind surgery since then and as long as conditions remain on the soft side, My Bobby Dazzler may score again on Merseyside.
Alan King’s BIG BOY BOBBY was progressing nicely until pulling up at Fakenham last time out. But he may bounce back with victory in the cavani.co.uk Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (GBB Race) (1.30pm). The five-year-old had won at Huntingdon and finished second at Kempton over Christmas before his Fakenham disappointment. But he can get back on track with another victory.
Jonjo O’Neill’s OUR FRIEND MO was third in a point-to-point and may land a debut success in the Happy Birthday Caroline Dingwall Mares' Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.05pm).
Rose Dobbin’s HERE COMES THE MAN can land a first victory over obstacles in the cavani.co.uk Peculiar Pocket Square Novices' Handicap Hurdle (4.25pm). The eight-year-old was a good second at Ayr back in November and following a short break may be able to go one better.
Others who can also triumph at Haydock are Sean Curran’s DOMAINE DE L'ISLE– a winner of a similar event at Chepstow last time – in the Jeannie's Birthday Celebration Veterans’ Handicap Chase (3.50pm); and the Richard Potter-trained FAZAYTE – who may finally score after several decent placed efforts – in the finale, the cavani.co.uk Bow Tie Bonanza Handicap Chase (5pm)
READ MORE: Gordon Elliott hoping to give Davy Russell a Grand finale
On the Flat at Musselburgh Keith Dalgleish’s GOOD SHOW can win the tote Summer World Pool Queen’s Cup (Heritage Handicap) (3.35pm). The four-year-old will be making his handicap debut, having won and finished second in three runs last season. Off bottom weight he can score.
Another course and distance scorer – David O’Meara’s AUTUMN FESTIVAL – can continue his winning run in the tote.co.uk Bet5Get20 Musselburgh Silver Arrow Handicap (2.25pm). The four-year-old has won his last five, including at Musselburgh in October and he can return with a super sixth success in a row in the seven-furlong contest
Julie Camacho’s course and distance winner MAKANAH – under Warrington jockey Paul Hanagan – can land another success in Scotland in the tote World Pool Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap (3pm). The eight-year-old won over course and distance for a third time on his final start of last season in October. He always goes well at the track and can land another success on his seasonal return.
Michael Dods’ HAVAGOMECCA also scored on the same day at Musselburgh in October as Autumn Festival and Makanah and he too can win again on his return in the Ina & Ella MacGregor Memorial Handicap (4.45pm).
Marcus Tregoning’s DUMFRIES got off the mark at Southwell last month and the three-year-old can back that up with another victory in the tote 250K Guaranteed Placepot Royal Mile Handicap (1.50pm).
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Others who can win at the Scottish track are Richard Fahey’s debutant, BLUE PRINCE, in the tote Fantasy Who’s In Your Stable EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (4.10pm); the Iain Jardine-trained OUR DICKIE in the tote Congratulates Mr & Mrs Whittle Handicap (Div 1) (5.20pm); and DON'T LOOK BACK – from the Lucinda Russell stable, who will bid for Grand National glory at Aintree with favourite Corach Rambler next week – in the tote Congratulates Mr & Mrs Whittle Handicap (Div 2) (5.50pm).
Wright Ones
HAYDOCK PARK
1.30pm Big Boy Bobby
2.05pm Our Friend Mo
2.40pm Sam Barton (NAP)
3.15pm My Bobby Dazzler
3.50pm Domaine De L’Isle
4.25pm Here Comes The Man
5pm Fazayte
MUSSELBURGH
1.50pm Dumfries
2.25pm Autumn Festival
3pm Makanah
3.35pm Good Show
4.10pm Blue Prince
4.45pm Havagomecca
5.20pm Our Dickie
5.50pm Don’t Look Back
NEWTON ABBOT
1.40pm Holetown Hero
2.15pm Begin The Luck
2.50pm Bobo Mac
3.25pm Le Ligerien
4pm Red Notice
4.35pm Kym Eyre
5.10pm Good Time Ahead
CARLISLE
1.55pm Houi Cherie
2.30pm Shanbally Rose
3.05pm Grain D’oudairies
3.40pm The King Of May
4.15pm Yellowstone Park
4.50pm Paddy The Horse
5.25pm Duty Calls
WOLVERHAMPTON
5.30pm Jenny Ren
6pm Berwick Law
6.30pm Margaret Beaufort
7pm Ibiza Rocks
7.30pm Storymaker
8pm Rebel Redemption
8.30pm Storm Asset
SUNDAY’S NAP: Southern Sam (Ffos Las 3.25pm)
