Soft-ground specialist looks the one to upset lightly raced favourites

No. 3

3.20 Haydock
1pt win at 8-1 generallySleepy Haven has run soom good races at this track on bad ground, including when winning on this card as a four-year-old in 2014 and when coming down at the last in a much better race behind Clyne last November (fourth and held, but not far back and only getting 7lb from a horse now rated 149).

In all 12 of his best 13 runs over hurdles have come on soft or heavy ground, so he has conditions to suit and his third of five to Clayton at Lingfield last time was a big step up on seasonal debut at Ayr – and it took his form figures over hurdles in December to 235113.

He has dropped to a mark of 124, which is his winning mark from last December at Leicester and 8lb lower than he has won off, so he ought to go well.