The Scoopy Haddock Blog

What a perfect day to abandon logical reason when picking the names of the Scoop 6 winners like ex professional ironist, Agnes Haddock from Cheshire did in 1997 when she included a runner called Clouding Over because “it looked like rain on the way to the betting shop” and Simon “because I used to work with a really nice lad called Simon” with bonus race winner Taranis chosen the next week was because he had cloth number 13 which was her birthdayand not because it was the favourite – although that helped!  This selection method worked quite nicely for her and she took the whole Scoop 6 pot plus the bonus race the week after totalling over £688k.

So in tribute of Mrs Agnes Haddock and in search of an immense prize today of upwards of £10 million I have supplemented my sensible form and stats based selections with randomly logical picks chosen a la Haddock for a bit of fun......and with quite possible as much chance of winning!

One thing’s for sure, there will be at least one huge priced winner amongst the Scoop 6 races today but I do think it WILL be won.

Race 1

Haydock 14:05 6f Class 3 4yo+ (16 runners) Good

There’s no draw advantage to speak of at 6f here (I keep my own records so can trust this fact!).  There were high hopes for Bear Behind 1st early in his racing career when he contested listed races but has only won twice – the last time being a class 6 claimer!  This may have done his confidence some good though so he’s not to be totally discounted. Go Far has a nice low weight and a trainer and jockey who have done well enough around here but I’m with Run With Pride, who could be anything, having made a successful belated debut over 6f at Doncaster 3 weeks ago where he did all his best work at the end.  He must have had problems as he cost 200K guineas as a yearly then went to Derek Shaw last August for a bargain £7.5K but I like him a lot so I’m hoping he’s all that!

Form Pick:              Run With Pride

Haddock Pick:         Polski Max because my daughter picked it and she picked the first Scoop 6 winner last week  which was 20/1 Front Page News.

Race 2

Catterick 14:50 7f Class 3 4yo+ (15 runners) Good to Soft, Soft

There’s no drastic draw bias but a middle draw is slightly less preferred.  Having a trainer with a good track record seems to hold more sway here than at any other courses and for that reason Conry, Dr Red Eye and Showboating have had more attention paid to them than would otherwise be the case.  Conry loves it here at Catterick with five wins and two seconds from eight runs here and also loves soft ground so with Stevie Donohoe on board (ridden 7x, won 3x) I am very keen on his chances.

Form Pick:              Conry 1st 

Haddock Pick:         Just Paul because that’s the name of one of my brothers.

Race 3

Goodwood 14:55 7f Class 2 3yo (12 runners) Soft

Here we have a definite draw advantage for those drawn low (stalls 1-5).  It’s also useful to have some course form so those two stats lead us to Penny Drops from the in-form Haggas stable. Her win last time out at Lingfield suggest she’ll cope here but she’s up in class and that win was against her own sex.   Beau Nash 3rd has barely any weight on his back today but has never tried been tried on a track such as this before.  Weight and stamina aren’t as important as good balance on a sharp track like Goodwood so Beau Nash may not have such an advantage as first appears.  Mick’s Yer Man is a listed winner and although untried over this distance,  winning a 6f at Leicester is enough to suppose that he has the stamina for 7f here.  He likes soft ground and Ryan While takes off 5lb but his poor show at Chester poses a questionmark over the suitability of this track.  Supplicant has a nice draw and Fallon aboard who rides very well here.  Dropping into a handicap from group racing will be a lot easier today. His two wins at Ripon bode will for coping around this unique course and his outing at Newbury will have tuned him up nicely for this.

Form Pick:              Supplicant

Haddock Pick:         Penny Drops 2nd because everyone knows it’s lucky to pick a dropped penny

Race 4

Haydock 15:10 6f Class 1 Listed 3yo+ Fillies (15 runners) Good

Again, no draw bias to help guide us here.  3-5 year olds have fared best in this race with just one 6yo winning in the past ten years.  Only two favourites have won in that time yet nothing priced bigger than 20/1 and all the winners have had an RPR of between 100-112.

Gathering Power 2nd is a very interesting contender that ticks the stat list above and from the same connections as Sole Power and both stable form and jockey booking are encouraging at a decent price. However, Joyeuse is a classy filly dropping back to more realistic company now after her shot at the 1000 Guineas (11^th) which she didn’t stay.  Back at 6f and away from group company, Ryan More should ensure that she wipes the floor with this lot.   

Form Pick:              Joyeuse 1st

Haddock Pick:          Gracia Directa because it’s Spanish (Direct Grace) and I was in Barcelona last week!

Race 5

Catterick 15:25 7f Class 4 4yo+ (14 runners) Good to Soft, Soft

PJ McDonald has won this race for two different trainers in the past 3 years and today rides Millkwood.  He’s a long standing maiden but has placed here in the past on soft ground but is (unbelievably!) on his highest ever mark.  The hood and cheekpieces combination might just eke out that little bit more improvement required but he is up against it.  Khelman 3rd is better at 6f and Johnny Cavagin 1st could do with a couple more pounds respite from the handicapper.   My choice is Piceno.  Scott Dixon has had a cool (rather than cold!) spell lately but has a splendid 29% strike rate in 4yo+ races here plus Piceno is happiest on soft ground and has never been out of the places at Catterick in six runs.

Form Pick:              Piceno

Haddock Pick:         Bogsnog not because I’ve ever snogged a bog but because he’s owned by a syndicate called Facts & Figures and I like facts and figures!

Race 6

Haydock 15:45 8f Class 2 3yo (17 runners) Good

No horse starting at odds bigger than 12/1 has won this race in the past ten years so that’s where I’ve concentrated my efforts – on the more likely winners!  There’s no particular draw bias at this distance here either – despite what you read! 

Studying Zarwaan’s last run, I’m not convinced that this extra furlong will suit and a 3lbs rise makes him even less appealing.  What About Carlo looks classy enough but may be best on a right handed track and appears to need good ground.  William Haggas has a decent 35% strike rate with his 3yo at Haydock so Bilimbi needs very close consideration. Red Stargazer is an out and out stayer and C&D winner on soft here.  He’s up 6lb in a better race but is so progressive that he cancope with that and if the going changes with the forecast lunchtime downpour transpiring then he’s my choice.

Form Pick:              Bilimbi (good going)

Red Stargazer (soft going)

Haddock Pick:        Hot Coffee 4th because I read this name just as I’d just made myself one

GOOD LUCK !

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