'There are no negatives other than Blaklion is slightly higher in the handicap'

Last Fling Handicap Chase | 3m4½f | 4yo+ | RTV

Blaklion and Beware The Bear finished fifth and eighth behind Snow Leopardess in a hot handicap chase at Bangor last month. The winner went on to land the Becher and Blaklion won here next time.

There were 11 lengths between the pair at Bangor but, even after Blaklion's latest victory, Beware The Bear has just a 6lb pull in the weights and it's questionable whether that alone will be enough for a reversal of the Bangor form.

The market thinks Blaklion will confirm the places, but Beware The Bear was making his debut for new trainer Mel Rowley after leaving Nicky Henderson's stable and maybe he was in need of that first run since April. I suspect there may not be as much between them as the overnight betting suggests.

The Two Amigos finished third in the Grand National Trial on his last start at this track and that form has worked out well. The winner Lord Du Mesnil was second in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Sunday and fifth-placed Enqarde won the Tommy Whittle this month.

The Two Amigos is running off a 4lb lower mark and was last seen competing against the likes of Protektorat and Native River at Aintree. He fell there, but won't find anything of that quality in this line-up and looks the one to beat if in top form after that mishap.

Chef D'Oeuvre is another Haydock lover who will handle heavy ground. Trainer Sam England fits a first-time visor and she has an 11 per cent strike-rate with those in recent seasons.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Nicky Martin, trainer of The Two Amigos
He fell on his comeback at Aintree after which he went on to tackle some of the Grand National course, but came back with little more than a cut on his knee. We did think about running him at Ascot before Christmas but he wasn’t quite there. He’s bouncing around the place now though. It’s two years since he won and he deserves to get his head in front again at a track he likes and on ground that suits.

Mel Rowley, trainer of Beware The Bear
We got him from Nicky Henderson not long ago who was in complete agreement that he would benefit from a change of scenery and a switch to a smaller yard. He’s in the twilight of his career but his work at home tells us he still wants to play and he should enjoy going around in the mud at Haydock.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Blaklion
We had thought about the Peter Marsh Chase for him after his win at the track last time, but Darren Yates was keen to come here and it gives him a little more time between his races. He’s in great form and there are no negatives other than he’s slightly higher in the handicap. We know he likes the track and the longer trip should also suit.

Tom Symonds: trainer of Bobo MacCredit: Edward Whitaker

Tom Symonds, trainer of Bobo Mac
We were pleased with his run at Ludlow last time and conditions look to have come in his favour as he likes it very soft. He had other options but this looks the right race for him and he seems to be on a competitive mark.

Sam England, trainer of Chef d’Oeuvre
He has a light weight and likes the track and the ground, so goes there with a decent shout; it just depends whether old age is catching up with him.

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