Versatile performer Leoncavallo could capitalise on Flat mark for Pipe

5.30 Haydock
BetVictor Run For Your Money Handicap | 1m6f | 4yo+ | RTV

Leoncavallo isn’t one to trust implicitly, but this looks a good opportunity for him in receipt of significant weight from the majority of his rivals.

Rated 143 over hurdles, it’s not surprising that David Pipe, who was sent the eight-year-old at the beginning of this year, is endeavouring to exploit an attractive Flat mark of 76.

That’s 3lb higher than when Leoncavallo lost out by a nose to Nuits St Georges at Sandown in June, and he probably should have won that day under an excellent ride from Jason Watson.

However, his narrow conqueror has gone in again since, and Leoncavallo’s confidence might also have received a welcome boost after a 13-length novice chase success at Stratford.

He won’t be inconvenienced if one of the predicted thunderstorms eases the Haydock ground significantly, and the booking of James Doyle, who partnered him to his sole Flat success at Lingfield four years ago, takes the eye.

Grandee didn’t look to have anything in hand off his mark of 84 when a one-paced second to Kensington Art at Ripon last month, and a bigger threat to Leoncavallo could conceivably come from 2018 Cesarewitch fourth Vis A Vis, who still has untapped potential.

He’s been lightly raced since, and will surely have improved fitness-wise for the pipe-opener behind Volcanic Sky at Kempton.

Always Resolute, a game winner at York last season, ideally needs 2m, and may also be a shade high in the weights.

It’s pertinent to note that Leoncavallo is currently rated 18lb superior to him over hurdles.

What they say

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Vis A Vis and Referee
Vis A Vis’ fourth in the Cesarewitch two years ago was good form and he has come on a lot for his run at Kempton. He’s in good order and should be a lot more competitive. Referee was bought as a dual purpose horse and is a big baby who is still learning. His Flat form two years ago is good and I think another run on the Flat will do him the world of good. He’ll keep galloping.

Roger Fell, trainer of Grandee
He could beat anything if he put his mind to it, but he’s a tricky customer who doesn’t like to put his head in front. It would be nice if he could do it here, but it’s got to be timed right.

Ed de Giles, trainer of Sexy Beast
It all went horribly wrong at Ascot, where he was fractious at the start and got lit up after being bumped, but he then ran a blinder in a small field at Newmarket, where we tried different things and I think he ran better even than the bare form. He’s back to the scene of his sole success, and I’m really happy with him.

Iain Jardine, trainer of Night Of Glory and Weather Front
Night Of Glory pleased me last month on his first run since a tendon injury and he's on his way back, but he'll probably need the run still. Karen McLintock did really well with Weather Front and he's off a fair mark on his hurdles form. He's not run for a while but he's done plenty of work and I think he's fit enough. He's working well and any rain would be welcome - he won't run if it's too quick.

Mark Loughnane, trainer of Blue Medici
He ran a belter at Sandown with Oisin [Murphy] on board, where they didn’t go a gallop, which wouldn’t have suited him. He’s a lot higher than he was at this time last year but he’s running to his mark and it’s a positive having Oisin riding again. He wants it no worse than good, but if Haydock avoids any thunderstorms he should be thereabouts again.

David Pipe, trainer of Leoncavallo
He’s a decent horse and versatile, whether it’s Flat, hurdles or chases. He’s hopefully got a good chance, although 1m6f around Haydock will probably be on the sharp side for him. He’s got blinkers this time instead of cheekpieces, and they’ll hopefully help him travel better early on.

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