Prepare for fireworks in cracking Haydock match bet

Acting Lass
2.40 Haydock
Sell at 0.75 in a match bet with Geronimo

You should be prepared to lose the maximum on any match bet, of course, but be especially wary in staying races at Haydock on heavy ground. There is a strong likelihood they will finish miles apart.

Conditions are not of direct concern for Acting Lass, who won the Welsh Grand National Trial at Chepstow and was then second in heavy ground at Ascot last time. A bigger issue is the fact that those two hard races might have taken something out of such a lightly-raced horse.

He also needs to be produced late as he is known to idle in front. Consequently, Haydock's long straight may well present rider Sean Bowen with a headache. Opposing him in a match bet with the similarly lightly-raced Geronimo seems like a sensible move.

Geronimo has essentially progressed throughout his career, with the only bump in the road coming in last season's Scottish National. He overcame an absence and what was suspected to be an inadequate trip at Newcastle on his reappearance and now returns to his natural home at three miles and beyond. More improvement is easy to foresee.

The other benefit Geronimo has is his prominent racing style. Such tactics generally play a lot better than being held up when the mud is flying. Even if he is not directly involved in the finish, the scenario in which Geronimo's challenge lasts well into the straight is easier to imagine.

2.40 Haydock

Sporting (50-25-10): 11-14 Acting Lass, 9-12 Definitly Red, Geronimo, 8-11 Vintage Clouds, Prime Venture, Midnight Tune, 7-9 Champers On Ice, 5-7 Flying Angel, 4-6 Red Indian, 3-5 Claud And Goldie.

Match bet Acting Lass/Geronimo 0.75-2.25

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