Strong stayer should be in his element in Haydock mud

No. 6
Back To The Thatch
2.00 Haydock
1pt win at 7-2 generallyBack To The Thatch had the look of a very well-handicapped horse when scooting up by 11 lengths at Chepstow last January and while there was still a fair way to go when he fell in the Eider next time, he had scythed his way through the field fairly effortlessly to take up a prominent position at the time.

He was probably over the top in the Midlands National on his next outing and the ground would have been nowhere near deep enough for his return at Bangor in November, but he was much better at Chepstow three weeks ago.

Back To The Thatch finished a six-length fourth to Ramses De Teillee in that Welsh Grand National trial and the winner has not done the form any harm by finishing second in the big one itself.