Jack Looks Well Handicapped At Haydock

Little Orchid ran a nice race at Yarmouth for us earlier this week but unfortunately, she had to settle for 4th. She travelled well as they turned for home but Birkett had to challenge widest of all and though Little Orchid stayed on well she just couldn’t get to the leaders. She definitely has the ability to pick up a small staying handicap at some stage off her current mark.

Sophie Killoran has a good strike rate when riding for Leech.

On Friday I like the look of one in the opening 10f handicap at Haydock, and Saxo Jack looks absolutely chucked in off a mark of 77 dropped into class 5 company for the first time on turf. This 7yo is obviously not the force he was during his peak years with Ger Lyons and Godolphin, but he showed a definite spark last time at Nottingham when beaten 6L behind Zlatan (8.5f gd).

He fell out of the stalls that day under Sophie Killoran and he was still detached out the back as they turned for home. A couple of furlongs from home Killoran seemed to rein him back and switch him wide, and he stayed on rather nicely down the outside once he found daylight. It wasn’t the finest of rides by Killoran, but it was a pleasing run by Saxo Jack and if things had gone right he would have finished a lot closer to the principals.

That run came off 78, and he has been dropped another pound to 77. His last win came at Meydan off 100 back in January 2014 (10f gd) and in fact all three of his career wins have come at that trip. He steps back up to 10f for the first time since his debut run for Leech tomorrow and that looks sure to suit. Killoran has an excellent record when riding for Leech, booting home 3 winners and earning 4 places from just 11 rides.

With horses like this it is difficult to know if they will be putting it all in, so as a rule stakes should be kept small. However, the forecast good to firm ground will be ideal, the return to 10f is a huge plus and a wide draw isn’t really a worry as this hold up performer will be dropped in. If he can get away on terms and gets a good pace to aim at he could be very dangerous off 23lb lower (28lb including Killoran’s claim) than his last winning mark and he is the each way suggestion at 20/1 in an open race.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 14.20 HAYDOCK-SAXO JACK E/W @ 20/1