Will it be too quick for hot favourite? Analysis and quotes for staying chase

Wednesday: 2.45 Haydock
Tim Molony Handicap Chase | 3m4½f | 5yo+ | RTV

Just how soft will the ground be? That's always the big question at Haydock, where it often rides more testing than the description, but maybe this could be one meeting where conditions go the other way.

A GoingStick reading of 7.0 on the chase course is higher than at Ludlow (6.7), where the ground is being given as good. Maybe that is an indication that conditions at Haydock will ride faster than the official description of good to soft (good in places) would suggest.

The ground could be crucial in this race because hot favourite Tim Pat has recorded four of his five highest Racing Post Ratings on going with soft in the description and the exception came on heavy. He evidently handles plenty of juice, but will he go on any quicker?

He was placed in a good-ground point, but he's forecast to be a short price for one who is unproven in quicker conditions under rules and there are plenty in here who could take advantage if he fluffs his lines.

Generator City has recorded his four highest RPRs on good going and makes his debut for Ian Williams, having left Barry Leavy's yard. Williams is only 6-63 with horses who had been switched to his stable since their last run in recent seasons, though.

Course specialist Chef D'Oeuvre is another who would probably prefer more testing conditions, and so might The Late Legend.

Maybe Encounter A Giant could be the fly in the ointment, having been kept back for this assignment rather than taking in a race on softer ground at Exeter on Tuesday.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Alastair Ralph, trainer of Encounter A Giant
We took him out of Exeter as he wants better ground, so hopefully this will suit him. He’s needed his last two runs after a break and he was bang there until turning for home at Newbury last time. We think the flat track and drop in class will see him run a big race.

Richard Phillips, trainer of Corrany
We’ve not had him long and this will be only his second outing over fences for us. We’re stepping him up in trip as a bit of an experiment and hopefully that will bring about some improvement.

Oliver Greenall, trainer of Dragonfruit
He needs time between his races, which is why he’s had a bit of a stop-start campaign, but hopefully the ground should be perfect for him as he doesn’t want it tacky. He’s up in trip and hopefully he’ll enjoy it.

Tom Weston, trainer of The Late Legend
He ran too free in first-time cheekpieces last time on very soft ground at Exeter. We’ve dispensed with those this time and he’s on better ground, so hopefully he can bounce back.
Reporting by David Milnes

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