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Take Escape for victory at Haydock
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Roc can prove the Pic of Pauling's pair
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Arrow can hit the Dunstall bullseye
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Haydock, 13:30 - Back Escapeandevade @ 10/34.33
Time may tell that Escapeandevade has been a shade unfortunate not to win yet this season, but he could gain compensation this afternoon in this Class 3 contest.
The handicapper hasn't missed the nine-year-old for his two narrow defeats, raising the Lambourn raider 7lb for his two reverses, the second of which came at the hands of subsequent Cheltenham scorer David's Well.
The selection did precious wrong that day and only gave way after the last to a horse which is now rated 134 and whose connections have one eye on a race like the Grand Annual Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham festival in the spring.
Connections of Escapeandevade will be hoping there is no such lurker in this field and, with Harry Derham's gelding perfectly comfortable on any ground, Thursday's rain should not have dented his chance.
Back Escapeandevade
Ascot, 15:00 - Back Pic Roc each-way @ 4/15.00
There are no prizes for nominating Pic Roc as a possible winner of this well-contested handicap given any race reader worth their salt spotted his effort in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last time.
Tipping and backing horses which run past their rivals late on can be a fool's game as those late closers often seduce and are also quite frequently overbet next time.
In the case of Pic Roc, his price for this event seems fair judged on his performance at the Berkshire venue where he was one of those who fell foul of the standing start procedure.
With the exception of The Doyen Chief who was swiftly pulled up after missing the start, Ben Pauling's gelding found himself at the rear of the field and jumped the first two obstacles last of the 23 remaining runners.
In the circumstances, the selection emerged with plenty of credit to finish within 12 lengths of the runaway winner Panic Attack, clocking the second fastest finishing speed percentage of the race to take fifth.
Hopefully, there won't be any such dramas here and it is interesting that rider Ben Jones cuts his long-term association with Henry's Friend, an impressive winner at this venue on his comeback, preferring to remain loyal to the seven-year-old.
Back Pic Roc each-way
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Wolverhampton, 17:45 - Back Spartan Arrow @ 1/12.00
Two trips to Dunstall Park have yielded a neck defeat and a narrow victory for Spartan Arrow who appears to have a great opportunity to enhance that record in this Class 2 handicap.
The Sioux Nation gelding has improved a stone for the switch to Archie Watson from the Crisfords last February and his form on a synthetic surface went to a new level when he cosily won at Dundalk last time, beating Dubai Group winner West Acre in the process.
Spartan Arrow arguably did well to win from a wide draw that night and is reportedly in good form heading into this test which sees him re-enter the handicap ranks with Luke Morris booked.
Given he was only beaten seven lengths in a Nunthorpe in the summer, conceding weight all round here looks within his capabilities and it will be disappointing if he is beaten at this level.
Back Spartan Arrow