Haydock

2.00pm

Whisper

We haven’t seen him since the 2017 32Red King George, but the guv’nor has been very patient with him and let’s hope he can reward that with a good show here. We know what a high-class horse he was at his peak, both over hurdles and fences, though the handicapper hasn’t relented a great deal with him in his absence and he still has to race off a lofty mark of 163 here. So this will be a tough enough task for him on his comeback, for all he has the class and trip and ground will suit, and his presence at least means a fair few of his rivals are out of the handicap. I schooled him on Friday morning and he seemed very well.

3.10pm

Mister Fisher

He returns to the scene of his excellent defeat of Bright Forecast in the Rossington Main here in January, and I think that performance gives him definite claims off a mark of 145 here. We obviously expected better of him in the Supreme last time but he didn’t enjoy the ground there and we think he is a lot better than he showed that day. His best days are ahead of him, and he is a really nice prospect. I’ve ridden him at home recently and he is in good nick.

5.25pm

Brave Eagle

We haven’t seen him since October but he has won off a long break before and he was a very consistent progressive horse in the summer and autumn. He is also relatively unexposed over fences, and conditions should suit – ideally he wouldn’t want too much rain – so hopefully he can be competitive here and give us something to build on.