Haydock preview: Mitchum Swagger to land hat-trick
David Metcalf | October 16, 2015
Mitchum Swagger has won his first two starts in the style of an above average performer, and can make light of a rise in the weights to land the hat-trick in the 1m handicap on today’s card at Haydock (15.45).
The David Lanigan trained gelding looked a good prospect when making a winning debut in a 20-runner maiden at Newbury back in May, coming from off the pace and showing a smart turn of foot to get up and score by a neck.
Mitchum Swagger was allotted an opening handicap mark of 87 on the back of that success, and made a mockery of it when scoring over course and distance three weeks ago.
After being held-up off the pace under confident George Backer, the three-year-old got denied a clear run two from home before quickening nicely to lead 75 yards from the line and win going away by 1 1/2 lengths from Ghinia.
Mitchum Swagger was value for much more than the winning margin, and the runner-up has come out and won since to give the form a boost.
Judged on the manner of that success Mitchum Swagger looks a pattern performer in the making, and if that is to be the case a 6lb rise is not going to be enough to stop him going in again.
With Baker once again in the saddle, Mitchum Swagger can take this before going on to much better things.
In the 6f handicap (14.35), Billyoakes looks weighted to go well at a big price.
The gelding was a three-time winner last year when trained by Mick Channon, and has posted some eye-catching efforts this campaign since joining David Barron.
They include a staying on never nearer 2 1/2 length fourth of 10 to the now 106-rated Don’t Touch over course and distance off mark of 85 when the pair raced off level weights.
Billyoakes also ran well last time out over course and distance when staying on strongly to be nearest at the finish and a 2 1/4 length sixth of 16 to Brando off 87.
The three-year-old has since been dropped 2lb to 85, and that makes Billyoakes look nicely treated on the pick of his form.
Selections:
13.30: Addicted To Luck
14.00: Futoon
14.35: Billyoakes (NB)
15.10: Baydar
15.45: Mitchum Swagger (NAP)
16.20: Zealous
16.55: Poet’s Beauty
17.30: Handiwork
