'The handicapper has finally given Eldorado Allen a chance' says Joe Tizzard - but should he be worried about last year's winner?

Haydock still produces its fair share of course specialists, despite not providing the jumping test of old, and one who seems to have taken to the track is the Heather Main-trained Numitor, who won this last season and finished a close runner-up on his other outing over course and distance.

The 11-year-old is three from four in veterans’ company this season and while he does not look particularly well treated after going up 4lb for last month’s Ascot success, he is arguably as good as ever right now and is also versatile with regards to conditions, which could be a key factor with an unsettled forecast.

Eldorado Allen finished third behind Numitor at Cheltenham this season and is a stone better off at the weights. Any deterioration in conditions may help bring stamina into play for the Betfair Chase runner-up in 2022.

Nick Alexander excels with his chasers and Dubai Days is another who is closely matched with Numitor after his second in this race in 2024. He is 9lb better off with his old rival this time and a stiff three and a half miles at Carlisle probably stretched him last time.

With the trainers' championship still in the balance, Dan Skelton will be hoping Le Milos can get him closer to his first title. The ten-year-old showed he can still be a force at this sort of trip when landing a veterans’ chase at Warwick this campaign and is another who wouldn’t mind some rain, particularly over this distance.

Conversely, Flic Ou Voyou will not mind how quick the ground is. He is becoming an intermediate trip specialist when he gets his conditions and made it three wins from his last four starts with a wide margin Newcastle success two weeks ago.
Analysis by Phill Anderson

The Widdow Maker: won at Exeter on Tuesday

The Widdow Maker: one of two contenders for Joe TizzardCredit: Edward Whitaker

Eldorado Allen 'given a chance' by handicapper

Joe Tizzard has two excellent chances and hopes the respite the handicapper has given his triple Grade 2 winner Eldorado Allen can prove decisive.

The Dorset trainer is a staunch supporter of the series and also saddles the Exeter winner The Widdow Maker in a bid to land the £100,000 finale.

"It's a fantastic series and I was going to have three in it but Le Legerien just picked up a slight niggle," the trainer said. "I love the series and it gives the old horses a chance. It's a serious pot at the end of it, hence we've got a couple of nice runners in it."

Eldorado Allen was last seen finishing down the field in the Topham at Aintree but put together a string of promising runs against older horses earlier in the season.

"Eldorado Allen ran a fortnight ago at Aintree but seems to have come out of that really well," Tizzard said. "The handicapper has finally given him a bit of a chance. Two and a half miles is just about okay for him.

"I think he's getting to the stage where he'll win one of these veterans' chases soon and I hope it's tomorrow. I know he has top weight but he'd be the strongest of the two."

He added: "The Widdow Maker was off for a couple of years and he's improved for a couple of runs over hurdles. He put a good foot forward at Exeter last time but he needs to improve again."

Le Milos (8): Coral Gold Cup winner is the right sort of age for the National

Le Milos: will bid to extend Dan Skelton's lead in trainers' title race Credit: Mark Cranham

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Le Milos
He's had a busy enough season but he's taken his racing well and he's not getting any younger. The last time he ran against veterans he beat them so that gives us a bit of hope. He's run consistently all season.

Henry Hogarth, trainer of Flic Ou Voyou
I think he'll run well. I thought he might have needed the race at Newcastle and he surprised us a little bit. It was very impressive. It was a bit heavy on the handicap unfortunately, but you can't have a winner and complain. The horses are in good form at the moment.

Nick Alexander, trainer of Dubai Days
He's been wonderful for us. He won the qualifier over the course and distance last year before finishing second in this, so our hopes are high. We'd like lots of rain.

Barry Brennan, trainer of Spyglass Hill
He won a hunter chase at the track last year and we've targeted the race. He's getting on and it might be the last throw of the dice, but he's in great form.

Gary Hanmer, trainer of The Flier Begley
He seems in good form and any rain can only be a bonus. If we can run to our Market Rasen run I think we'd have every chance at the weights. He's had quite a busy time, so we gave him a little break and he seems in great form now.

Raceday Intel for Saturday:

How can you make it pay on Easter weekend at Musselburgh? Take heed of these three golden rules

Mega day in store at Musselburgh and in title race as Dan Skelton eyes Haydock riches in absence of Willie Mullins

1.50 Musselburgh: Can George Boughey strike with his sole runner? Hat-trick-seeker Invited takes aim at Royal Mile

2.40 Haydock: 'We've had this race in mind for him for a good while' - who has kept his runner back specially for this Haydock final?

3.00 Musselburgh: 'He’s back in handicaps and should be right in the mix' - rare Scottish raid for Crisfords in Sprint Cup

3.35 Musselburgh: Red-hot Andrew Balding takes aim at £100,000 Queen's Cup with two runners - including favourite and St Leger sixth Wild Waves

5.05 Fairyhouse: 'He's on a great mark over hurdles' - Joyeuse and Jazzy Matty among those battling for €100,000 handicap prize