Aintree - Race 1 v Race Winner

5 September 2009

Preview By Tipster rdeacon (England)

A belting weekends racing, with a good few bets I reckon.

My 1st bet goes in the 1.55 at Haydock.

This is a class 2 sprint handicap, run over 5 furlongs.

As is usually the case with these types of races, this looks hugely competitive.

There are 17 runners declared.

These races are normally run at a furious pace, and this looks like being no different.

There's plenty of early pace on offer here today, and it looks to be spread evenly across the track.

Bertoliver from stall 2, Captain Dunne (5), Strike Up The Band (7), Mattamia (8), Northern Dare (12), Fathom Five (13), Equuleus Pictor (15) and Zuzu (17) have all got plenty of early dash.

With those horses in the line up, there should be no hanging about.

That being the case, things could just be set up nicely for something coming from off the pace.

The horse I will be backing here is number 12 CHEVETON.

Like many of these sprinters, Cheveton is somewhat frustrating.

A horse with definite ability, but one that seems to just need everything to fall right for him.

Cheveton has won 6 times in his career, 4 times on turf and 2 on the All Weather.

All 6 wins have been over todays 5 furlong trip.

Infact he is 6 from 14 over this trip, which isn't a bad strike rate at all for this type of horse.

Cheveton likes to come from off a strong pace usually, so he should get things run to suit here today.

He is a course and distance winner, which is always a plus.

Infact he is 1 from 1 over todays course and distance.

The ground looks like being on the soft side at Haydock today, which shouldn't be a problem.

Cheveton has twice previously won on ground on the soft side.

The horse has also won in this grade.

Some indifferent efforts this year have seen the horses rating slip to what is now a dangerous looking mark.

A previous winner from a mark of 96, he races today from just 91.

Robert Winston takes the ride today, which looks a good booking.

He has ridden the horse just once previously, finishing 2nd off a mark of 100 in a race similar to todays.

What makes the jockey booking more interesting is the recent record Robert Winston has when riding for this stable.

In the last 12 months, Winston has ridden 19 times for this yard, winning 6 and placing a further 4 times.

That's a pretty decent strike rate.

As we know, these big sprint handicaps can sometimes be influenced by the draw.

Haydock can be a funny track with regards to draw bias.

At times high numbers can appear to have an advantage, then others it appears low numbers have the edge.

With the stalls in the middle of the track here today, it will be interesting to see if they come down the middle or split into 2 groups.

With pace right across the track, it will be interesting to see how things pan out.

From a punting point of view, you couldn't really discount anything purely on the draw.

Cheveton is drawn in stall 1.

With plenty of early pace drawn low, with Bertoliver, Captain Dunne and Strike Up The Band, Cheveton shouldn't be inconvenienced by the draw.

This race is wide open and hugely competitive, but Cheveton does appear to have plenty going for him.

Cheveton is 6 from 14 over todays trip, including 1 from 1 over this course and distance.

The horse has won in this grade, and won on this ground.

He is looking quite well handicapped now, being 5 lbs lower than for his last win.

Robert Winston is a good jockey booking, with a good record when riding for this yard.

Cheveton likes to come from off a good strong pace, so should get the race run to suit.

Clearly Cheveton needs to put a few indifferent runs behind him, but if he can, then he has the ability to go well here at a big price.

3 points EACH WAY (6 points in total) Cheveton @ 17.0 generally (you can get best odds guaranteed with many bookies so if he goes of at a longer price you will get that price) 1/4 odds a place 1,2,3,4