Bets Of The Day: Two vintage selections to go well at Haydock on Saturday

Alan Dudman
18 January 2020

Alan is sticking with heavy ground horses that both line up in the north west on Saturday

Join

Twitter

Facebook

View the Betslip

Alan Dudman has two selections that both should handle the testing ground on Peter Marsh day at Haydock....

"Billingsley goes up in grade on Saturday, but I think he can handle it. He'll love the ground, though, and that's a major asset."

Back Billingsley @ 6.05/1 in the 15:45 at Haydock

Clouds can produce a vintage performance in Haydock feature

14:40 Haydock - Back Vintage Clouds @ 9.617/2

The big betting race of the day is the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase, and whilst there are 10 runners, this is an Extra Place Special event on the Sportsbook.

It looks anyone's race with quite an open feel to the market, but at 9.617/2, I am happy to play on Sue Smith's Vintage Clouds.

Firstly he has a tremendous record around Haydock and rarely runs a bad race at the venue. The 10yo actually ran in this in 2017, and was going pretty well before falling late on.

He has plenty of stamina and has no problems with heavy ground - two factors that are a must for Saturday. Last time out he posted a return to form with a good third in the Tommy Whittle behind Lord Du Mesnil.

Considering he was third in the Ultima at last year's festival from 144, he strikes me as a well treated horse from lb lower.

Mud lover Billingsley can follow up Hereford win

15:45 Haydock - Back Billingsley @ 6.05/1

With ground on the testing side, very testing actually with the going stick on 4.0, conditions should suit Alistair Ralph's Billingsley.

He made all to win last time at Hereford with a comfortable success, and I'd love to see those tactics again employed by Liam Treadwell - who I am fairly sure is now working alongside Ralph as assistant too. I maybe wrong.

The assessor has nudged the horse up 5lb for that victory, and considering it was only his second run over fences, he can still win races from his current mark. In fact, he's well treated compared to his hurdles' rating.

Billingsley goes up in grade on Saturday, but I think he can handle it. He'll love the ground, though, and that's a major asset.

*Click here for more racing news and exclusive previews