Haydock preview: Class-dropping Bop It weighted to strike
Published:
Bop It can take advantage of a drop in class to cash-in on a career-low mark, and get back to winning ways in the 6f handicap on today’s card at Haydock (15.40).
The Geoff Oldroyd trained gelding is a five-time winner, and two of those victories have come at this venue.
Bop It was last successful at Newcastle 12 months ago when in the care of David O’Meara and gamely holding on to beat Barney McGrew by a nose off a mark of 80.
The eight-year-old got put up 3lb to 83 for that victory, but is now able to race off just 68.
That is 12lb lower than when last successful, and gives Bop It a huge shout from a handicapping perspective.
The son of Misu Bond also now drops down into class 5 company for the first time, and comes into the contest having returned to form last time out when third of 14 to Mon Brav in much more competitive class 4 affair at York.
Bop It is thrown-in at the weights if building on that effort, especially if the fitting of the blinkers for the first time have the desired effect, and this looks a glorious opportunity for him to score an overdue success.
In the 1m 6f handicap that closes proceedings (17.10), Spice Fair looks capable of defying top weight to land the spoils and booking Jamie Spencer to do the steering really catches the eye.
The Mark Usher trained eight-year-old has been a tremendous servant over the years, and was last successful 12 months ago at Beverley off a mark of 82.
Spice Fair is now able to race off 2lb lower having returned to form seven days ago at Sandown when finishing a one length runner-up to Daghash after encountering trouble in-running.
It gives the veteran major claims at the weights, and it’s no surprise that connections have turned Spice Fair out quickly as he is due to race off 3lb higher in future assignments. Everything thus points to a big run.
Selections:
14.10: Rock Lobster
14.40: Laughton
15.10: Etienne Gerard
15.40: Bop It (NAP)
16.10: Pyjama Party
16.40: Privileged
17.10: Spice Fair
